Good, but very overrated
Most of it was just the 2 main actors following some guys around
PROPAGANDA - Duel
Along with an absurd script and at times, cartoonish scenes that were meant to add value to the storyline.
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MovieChat Forums > The French Connection (1971) Discussion > Good, but very overrated
Following some guys around? Yeah, that's what police detectives often do. Come on.
shareAgreed I saw it recently there was nothing special, over the top aggressive cop and ending was ice on this stupid poop cake.
shareIt is a brilliant film, 9/10 easily
shareI think the premise is thin, or basic if you will. But at the time, gritty movies like this which took a stab at unglamorous realism - in this case detective work, were pretty groundbreaking from the usual. It must be remembered that no Hollywood movies featured graphic violence and action to this degree much before 1968. Current day audiences are desensitized, but back then this was some real adult stuff. The praise for this film should be viewed in the context of it's direct competition in 1971.
"We used to stack fu#ks like you five feet high in Korea, use ya for sandbags."
Even if the plot isn't of much interest, you can't overlook the brilliant cinematography of this film. You feel immersed in it as opposed to merely being a passive onlooker as an audience and that gritty, realism in-your-face style of direction is not something you saw much of in American filmmaking prior to TFC, so it was groundbreaking for its era especially as it set the tone for a lot of similar films that were made in its wake. I also think the city of New York deserves third billing as a main character, because it is in many ways just as much the star of the show as Hackman, Schneider and Rey are. William Friedkin really made the best of the locale and actors he was given to work with, and he absolutely deserved his Oscar.
shareOne of my top 5 films!! Love it!!
shareStuff and nonsense! This is one of the best police dramas ever filmed. May Popeye Doyle run over your fruit stand!!!
shareAgreed!!! And, Part 2 was even better!!! :-D
sharePart 2 is underrated imo think the first film is better just, I think Hackman's performance in the sequel is better then the first film. It probably lacks the gritty downbeat feel of the first film but the sequel deserves more respect.
As for OP saying the French Connection is overrated, behave will you. The best police film made for me, Hackman is fantastic as is Roy Scheider, one of America's most underrated actors imo. Friedkin was such a awesome director and still is. That bleak ending still fucks you up and wouldn't get away with it today. The car chase is still exciting and gripping.