Wonderful. So much fun. And so poignant too. This is one of several great films that were made in France after the New Wave had mercifully (to some degree) gone away. So there is very little surreal experimentation or other stuff. This is an action film. Imagine The Bourne Identity with a sliver of the budget, or explosions, or breaking glass. Anyway, the film doesn't require a total suspension of disbelief (Crouching Tiger et ilk, James Bond series), but of course the hero is larger-than-life and Belmondo's ability to escape situations and defeat villains in one fistfight after another is basically, fun. For modern audiences, the action will seem tame and totally believable probably. As we've become accustomed to the most absurd action sequences across all genres of film. Modern audiences will think nothing of the action in this film. And that's fine. Because behind it there is a real story here. Basic themes of honor, betrayal, duty, corruption, love, passion, and other stuff too, surely. This is a great film. If you've got the patience or penchant for a very repetitive and strange musical soundtrack at regular intervals. If you've ever watched a Godard film and wondered what if it could be just a bit less Godard, or a Bunuel, etc. Then here you go. Enjoy.

2011