tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post435173842611258474..comments2024-01-11T05:02:32.321-05:00Comments on Goodfella's Movie Blog: #9: Rififi (Jules Dassin, 1955)Davehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-46172988559224722362011-01-09T13:05:52.354-05:002011-01-09T13:05:52.354-05:00I did a remake of the heist scene, day before with...I did a remake of the heist scene, day before with my film crew, just to get inside the skin of the director.<br />Here's the link:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6FC6hGNMmgSkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17356062331337422494noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-20630467193629877812010-04-17T10:06:30.398-04:002010-04-17T10:06:30.398-04:00To Mr. Juliano: No, I hate Russian cinema. And lit...To Mr. Juliano: No, I hate Russian cinema. And literature.Quirky Characterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13590664018386916883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-19374780463629967552010-04-16T13:05:50.216-04:002010-04-16T13:05:50.216-04:00Quirky: You do love Eisenstein, Pudovkin, Dovzsen...Quirky: You do love Eisenstein, Pudovkin, Dovzsenko and Tarkovsky though, no?Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-36230019672576554752010-04-16T12:29:54.852-04:002010-04-16T12:29:54.852-04:00I have wanted to see this film for a long time, bu...I have wanted to see this film for a long time, but it's not available in my country in French, only a dubbed version. And I def. do not want to see a dubbed version. I rarely watch European movies, but def. would like to make an exception for this one -- 'cos of Dassin, of course, and 'cos I read how wonderful it is as a noir.Quirky Characterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13590664018386916883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-51522721723228705382010-04-16T12:04:03.642-04:002010-04-16T12:04:03.642-04:00I guess I agree with They Shoot Pictures in that I...I guess I agree with They Shoot Pictures in that I don't consider non-english speaking films as noir. I also personally don't view any movie made in color as film noir either. My definition might be stricter with the above elements plus the timeline of 1941-58. I lump everything that doesn't fit those criteria's into something else like neo noir or just crime drama etc........M.RocaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-74789066744970185392010-04-16T11:54:49.167-04:002010-04-16T11:54:49.167-04:00Dave, I'm completely with you on this one! I ...Dave, I'm completely with you on this one! I had the good fortune of seeing it on the big screen in Los Angeles about ten years ago and was completely blown away. Great write-up and great pick.Jeffrey Goodmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464544798603030406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-35209783244804716652010-04-16T08:03:18.050-04:002010-04-16T08:03:18.050-04:00"The jewel heist definitely serves as the cen..."The jewel heist definitely serves as the centerpiece of the story, but it is only an action-starter that allows Dassin to explore themes that he so often examined – the ideas of the strong bonds of friendship, honor among thieves, and, even more powerfully considering the course of Dassin’s own life, deception and double-crossing."<br /><br />Excellent point there Dave, in a stellar review for the third heist film in a row on the countdown, following THE ASPHALT JUNGLE and THE KILLING. It's a very close call with the Kubrick film for me (Huston's for all intents and purposes is right there too) but I agree with you that Monsieur Dassin's film is narrowly the best of the three, hence it's placement here is perfect. I agree with Maurizio Roca that it's Dassin's second-best film behind NIGHT IN THE CITY, but we're taking semantics here. I think most people are on your side anyway Dave.<br /><br />The 30 minute heist sequence is a model of its kind, one of the cinema's greatest segment sin any genre. It first appears that these guys are amateurs, but their use of unconventional items like umbrellas and fire extinguishers show they have studied the situation perfectly, and excercise coordinated teamwork. The killings in this film are terrifying, the sexual underpinning palpable and the use of Paris locations as compelling as the use of London was in NIGHT AND THE CITY. Phillipe Agostini's photography is masterly.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-84281703576074064872010-04-16T06:47:33.906-04:002010-04-16T06:47:33.906-04:00M.Roca - I think it is easily a noir. If you cons...M.Roca - I think it is easily a noir. If you consider The Asphalt Jungle and The Killing noir, then I don't see how Rififi could not be one as well. Also, the thing about the They Shoot Pictures noir list is that they do not include any non-English speaking films, so this one never had a shot there. But, I love hearing that this is a great movie in your opinion as well. This is such a powerful, impressive film.<br /><br />Tony - I think you mean "The best line in the movie is given to Jo's wife..." but I get what you're saying and agree that it is powerful stuff.<br /><br />Rob J - Thanks for the compliment! This is definitely an all-time classic.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07134196370913749544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-36306597829044828152010-04-16T06:13:05.304-04:002010-04-16T06:13:05.304-04:00What a film ! What a great blog !!What a film ! What a great blog !!Rob Jnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-87870315759835177622010-04-16T05:21:21.176-04:002010-04-16T05:21:21.176-04:00Rififi has to be the greatest French film noir of ...Rififi has to be the greatest French film noir of the 50’s. Dassin has Paris in deep focus. An excellent cast and sexy night-club interlude culminating in the terrific final scenes of a car desperately careening through the streets of Paris, make an absorbing and sobering thriller. The whole action is underpinned by an evocative and hip jazz score.<br /><br />The best line in the movie is given to Mario's wife after her son is kidnapped, when in her anger and angst she calmly confronts Mario with these words:<br /><br />"There are kids… millions of kids who have grown up poor. Like you. How did it happen… What was the difference between you and them that you became a hood, a tough guy, and not them?<br />Know what I think Jo, they’re the tough guys, not you."<br /><br />This is the real Dassin speaking...Tony D'Ambrahttp://filmsnoir.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-578997264816756307.post-74566184945709978592010-04-16T00:26:13.354-04:002010-04-16T00:26:13.354-04:00Wow Dave I didn't think this film would make t...Wow Dave I didn't think this film would make the list. I've never considered this one noir. I can't believe one of the 10 films me and Quirky mentioned won't make the top 100!!!! In an earlier post I said Brute Force was Dassin's 2nd best movie. I completely forgot about this one. After Night And The City this is his greatest movie. It's an utter masterpiece. I just look at this as more of a pure heist flick. I know that They Shoot Pictures also doesn't consider this film noir. I guess you will leave out Sunset Boulevard or Night Of The Hunter because they are more borderline noir with gothic overtones. Though both would make my top ten American films ever. Either way this movie is perfect and the tension is overbearingly amazing. Dassin was just making celluloid perfection almost every time out during this period. This film was the culmination of his extraordinary talent......M.RocaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com