Borsalino & Cia

Alain Delon, already past his prime, returns to the tried-and-trusted formula of BORSALINO (1970), a fondly-remembered gangster pastiche (which I had watched some time ago, albeit dubbed, and been somewhat underwhelmed by) with a surprisingly mean-spirited but ultimately indifferent follow-up. The film is one of a staggering 9 Delon made with director Deray (the only other one I've seen is LA PISCINE [1969], which I remember liking). However, since I had purchased LE SAMOURAI (1967) while in Hollywood and recently ordered LE CERCLE ROUGE (1970), I thought I might as well give this one a try...

Though Delon served also as producer, he delivers a typically blank-faced performance and the film, with no new ideas in either script or direction, is tolerable mainly for its bouts of excessive, almost cartoonish violence. The international cast is reliable but their contribution is pretty ordinary on this occasion: Riccardo Cucciolla in a dual role (!) as Delon's gangleader rival and his twin; Rene' Koldehoff as Cucciolla's heavy-set chief thug; Catherine Rouvel (still looking gorgeous 15 years after swimming in the nude for Jean Renoir in LUNCH ON THE GRASS [1959]) also reprising her role from the original as a high-class prostitute and Delon's old flame, Daniel Ivernel (from Bunuel's DIARY OF A CHAMBERMAID [1964]) as the level-headed Police Commissioner, Alfredo Lastretti (from Jess Franco's VENUS IN FURS [1968]) as one of Delon's lieutenants...plus a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo from Anton Diffring (perhaps imposed on the film by its backers, BORSALINO AND CO. being a French/Italian/West German co-production).

An old recipe of crime-thriller-revenge, good for fans of Alain Delon but easy to see it with large indulgence today. All is more than familiar, correct and predictable against the effort to surprise. So, murders and America. And, sure, Alain Delon as the blank-faced hero.

For those who enjoy 'the Godfather' and the Sicilian landscapes, Borsalino & Co. is a different view of French gangsterism in the South of France around the 1930's. Alain Delon plays the lead character of Roch Siffredi, a gangster who must fend his empire against the Italian mob who tries to muscle its way through Roch Siffredi's territory and enterprises. How Roch is able to fight back and make an unprecedented comeback while exacting his vengeance on the Italian mob is most original and Machiavellian.

Bottom line, revenge is sweet, and the movie makes great effort in recreating a 1930's decor. The background music and the theme song are particularly enjoying.

In Marseille, after the funeral of his best friend and partner François Capella, Roch Siffredi (Alain Delon) and his gangsters capture an Italian gangster that tells that the hit was ordered by the mobster Giovanni Volpone (Riccardo Cucciolla). They also learn that his brother is coming to Marseille by train. Siffredi and his men intercept the train and throw Volpone's brother on the rails. Soon Volpone kills Siffredi's men, destroys his businesses, throws his right-hand Fernand (Lionel Vitrant) with a big stone into the sea and captures Siffredi that goes missing. He also uses his influence to replace Inspector Fanti (Daniel Ivernel) by the corrupt Inspector Cazenave (André Falcon). Fernand survives and looks for Siffredi, who is interned in a hospice. Siffredi flees from the asylum with the support of Fernand and they escape to Italy by boat. Years go by until a truck of Borsalino and Co. Travels to Marseille with Siffredi, Fernand and their new gang. Retribution is coming.

"Borsalino and Co." is the sequel of the 1970 "Borsaline", also directed by Jacques Deray with a story full of action of war of gangsters. The revenges of Roch Siffredi and Giovanni Volpone are impressive, especially the one to force the enemy to drink bottles of booze. The conclusion promises a sequel that never happened. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Borsalino e Cia." ("Borsalino and Co.")

I rented this DVD today and was very disappointed. I had been seeking "Borsalino" and the clerk said, "Borsalino and Co." is in the foreign section. I wasn't yet aware there even was a sequel. I haven't seen "Borsalino" since its original '72 theatrical run. At that time I went to see it three times. I remember seeing the first run of "The Sting" and thinking it was good but not as good as "Borsalino". I loved the original, the music by Claude Bolling was unforgettable. The original had masterful dynamic interplay and tension between Belmondo and Delon. I began watching "Borsalino and Co." and soon realized it was trying yet failing to recapture its predecessor's magic. I loved Delon in "The Sicilian Clan" and other films. He is a cool screen presence, but was so effective contrasted with Belmondo's volatility.