On Jean-Pierre Melville and "Le Deuxième Souffle" A.K.A. "Second Wind" (1966)

Among the galaxy of geniuses who have donned the Director's cap in Films, there are 3 who occupy a special position in my list of favourites. One is the incomparable Akira Kurosawa and other is an irascible,uncompromising and brilliant Auteur who went by the name of "Bloody Sam" Peckinpah. The last one in this triumvirate might be construed to be a curious selection by some but there is no doubting the coruscating brilliance of Jean-Pierre Melville and the complete control he had over his awe inducing Film Masterpieces.

Melville was evidently inspired by early American Noir classics but his own Films transcend the immediate effect that evocative Noirs have on the viewer. Peerless specialist of the "existential" Crime epic, no one mastered the "Crime Drama" genre and turned it inside out like Melville did.

The opening sequence of this brilliant Crime Film highlights the hold that Melville held over the medium. Three men crouch at the top of a prison building in forbidding darkness, grimly working out the chances of escape. Then follows a chain of events that is jaw droppingly brilliant in its precise cinematic execution, its slow escalation of hysterical tension and economy of movement.

Like his celebrated "Le Samourai" and "Le Cercle Rouge", this Film is the epitome of a "minimalistic Epic." Hunched shoulders, trench coats and wide brimmed hats appear frequently on the screen, adorning persons navigating with intent; thereby hinting at pre-occupation with problems that will take some solving. The Melvillian protagonist is a curious animal: ostensibly a simple,ruthless Criminal but one that swears by peculiar personal codes of loyalty, honesty and professionalism. His matter-of-fact, pre-occupied demeanour is consistent with the dour shadow of fatalism that pervades the Melvillian universe.

But the thing that makes a Melville Film such an aural and visual delight is his construction of impeccable set piece sequences. The Heist sequence in this Film is one of many highlights in a distinguished career.

Melville was also blessed with some of the best Actors going around at the time. The protagonist's role was tailor made for Lino Ventura. Eyes conveying brooding intensity and a mask of a face hinting at a raging inferno underneath; Ventura scorches the screen. Marcel Bozzuffi (Of "The French Connection" fame) and the redoubtable Paul Meurisse (Remember "Les Diaboliques"?) add depth and vitality to their respective roles.

A MUST-WATCH for any Cinephile.

The Good,The Bad & The Ugly (1967)

Got a Blu-Ray of this timeless epic. There's a bit of a history with this Film so here we go.

Some 14 years ago, I was a young Kid; perpetually on the go as most kids that age and restless enough to make my Mom wince and quite often at that.

It was a typically lazy Sunday afternoon and my dad opened that VCR of ours,putting on a Film that he insisted I'd love. I was and still am a natural skeptic so I was waiting for evening to get in a Cricket game and work up a sweat. Films weren't really a passion then quite obviously so I wasn't really expecting something that'd make a 10 year Kid gasp, much less introspect.

But,right from the opening credits where that all too familiar OST (Probably the most famous OST of all time) hits the ear drums; I was captivated. The eerie,wild and jagged sound was fiercely evocative even then! The first extreme close-up shot was something I had never seen or experienced before and right from that moment on, I was a dead Mackerel - hook,line and sinker! I had left the heat and dust of Madras for the deserts and was a faceless observer of cynical,leathery men preoccupied with survival; their lives fueled and obsessed by pure,unadulterated greed. It'd mystify the mind of any 10 year old bloke. It mystified mine.

I don't need to wax eloquent on the merits of the Film. By ANY yardstick, it has to be one of the greatest Films of all time. For the next 3 hours I was glued to the tube. In more ways than one, it opened up a whole new world.

After the Film was over, my dad grinned at me. I grinned back. That says it all I guess. ;-)

In The Heat Of The Night (1967)

Saw it after a good 3 years and the Film still packs a helluva wallop !

There is no denying the fact that Jewison scores a home run with this brilliant,multi layered Film that hits all the right notes with the precision of a Sten gun and then some.

That it won a clutch of Oscars is almost besides the point. The American South was still a pretty lousy place for the blacks in the '60's and to come up with this complex, ultra realistic tale on the inter-relationships between the two races was and still is, a staggering achievement.

Any Film having a clean shaven,almost handsome Oates has gotta be somethin' special ;-) :-D.

But the Film is primarily driven by stunning performances by Steiger and Poitier. Steiger's ripping effort is a study of the human condition laid bare. There he was, now furiously chewing gum....Now rolling eyes and grinning...Temper building to a burning crescendo to mask his all too human failings....He was all over the damned place ! Little wonder he snagged the Oscar !

Contrast this with Poitier....The grim,no nonsense Black who sees eye to eye and never backs down. He is smart enough to know when he's licked but that piercing glint hints at an irrepressible urge to assert himself...The vestiges of a colonial hangover.

The Direction is sharp as a tack and atmospheric. There ain't a flaw in this crackerjacker of a Film.

Fab. fab. fab. !!!

Harakiri A.K.A. Seppuku (1962)

For sheer compelling theatre, feral intensity and emotional depth; few Films (if any) match this savage,uncompromising Masterpiece that can stake a legitimate claim to being the greatest Film of all time.

Oh yes, its that damned good ! Tatsuya Nakadai (Those who watched the brilliant "Yojimbo" will remember him) delivers a startling, infernally inspired performance as an old ex-Samurai warrior who is looking to commit Hara-Kiri (A suicide ritual considered sacred among Samurai warriors) for reasons that reveal themselves slowly but surely.

An understanding of Japanese History in the 17th Century may help in better appreciation but even so, this is a Film of rare,breathtaking beauty and matchless appeal. The final 15 minutes of swirling Samurai swordplay with the raging emotions bubbling forth is probably one of the greatest Climaxes ever.

It may not be as well known as "Citizen Kane" or "Seven Samurai" but watch this Jewel and decide for yourself.

In Japanese with English Subs.

"The Thin Man" Series

A platinum plated Series that is a shoo-in into my list of Films that you can watch a Zillion times !

Not for nothing was the suave,charismatic Bill Powell and the gorgeous,bewitching Myrna Loy considered to be one of Cinema's greatest couples. In fact, I would put 'em right at the top of the heap for you'd search long and in vain to find a chemistry as electric and as crackling as this one.

As far as Comedy-whodunits go, nothing comes near this Series. For once, even the irrepressible Dashiell Hammett was pushed into the background as Powell took to Nick Charles with the alacrity of a cat that has just smelt cream. That it was a "dream" role was obvious. Powell's infectious Joie De Vivre, coupled with his pitch perfect body language was a sight to behold.

Polished,urbane wit and sophisticated,twinkling charm aside; it is astonishing that the set of 6 Films managed to maintain the quality of the original (The first entry based on the Hammett novel) almost throughout.

A staggering achievement and a must own !!

Homicide (1991)

If a Film's greatness is to be judged by its inherent capacity to puzzle/make a person think, this should easily be the greatest Film of all time by a country mile !

My second viewing but it was like watching a brand new Film unfold in front of my eyes !! The mental conflict of choosing between professional integrity and ethnic loyalty is captured disarmingly with subtle finesse and characteristic Mamet bluster.

The film is a social commentary, a character study and a genuine mystery all rolled into one. So essentially, you get 3 Films here, livened up by razor sharp "Mametspeak" and culminating in a trademark "con" that Mamet is so famous for.

Most people who have seen the Film are likely to be disillusioned because the ending seems to raise more questions than answers. But in Mamet's world, conspiracies operate in a much wider space than normal and a "straightforward" explanation is just not on because too many things happen simultaneously.

Mamet is a genius because his elliptical explanations are not "complete' which hints at a plausible suggestion that some things happen by chance and that's why his Films (flawed diamonds) are such fun for an intelligent and discerning Cinephile.

OUTSTANDING Film that's a must watch !