Le Samourai

Location: Home
Seen Before: No
Rating: 3.5

The most fascinating element of this film for me is the character of Jef Costello (as well as actor Alain Delon's portrayal of him). Jef is so interesting and fun to watch that Melville could have kept putting him in films with different situations and it would never become dull; he is the epitome of cool. Delon is so perfectly cast that one cannot imagine any other actor playing this blue-eyed, cold-blooded killer for hire. With any other character of director at the center of this film, it would really fall flat. Both Jef and Melville keep it alive; Jef has the audience always waiting for his next move and Melville tells the story in a way that would not be seen in at least American films for another few years.

Le Samourai may fall short next to Melville's Le Cercle Rouge because it becomes too caught up in the police investigation instead of Jef's investigation into who actually hired him for the original job. Certainly the police side is necessary and essential to build tension, but it sidetracks our main character too much. Melville handles the same situation in Rouge (police investigation alongside a crime caper) much better, perhaps because in that film he gives himself 45 extra minutes--with not one of them dragging--to tell his story.

Overall, Le Samourai is worth watching and undoubtedly warrants extra viewings; perhaps even a purchase.