The French Connection (1971)

 ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ½

The French Connection (1971) – W. Friedkin

Paul Schrader recently said (on Letterboxd) that he was surprised how much “shoe leather” was involved in The French Connection – and it is true, this is an action movie where the characters are constantly on the move. Director William Friedkin and editor Jerry Greenberg do a great job with the pacing of the film, introducing us to Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle (Gene Hackman) and his partner “Cloudy” Russo (Roy Scheider) as they do some routine drug busts in seedy parts of Manhattan then gradually showing them start to suss out a much bigger deal going down.  That bigger deal involves Marseilles businessman (and major drug lord) Alain Chartier (Buñuel favourite Fernando Rey) who arrives from France to make the exchange in person.  Doyle and Russo have to tolerate the involvement of the Feds as they stake out the principals, tail them on the subway, and even chase an El train by car (one of the most famous car chases in cinema).  As befits ‘70s America, it’s a downbeat affair, but gripping all the way.  Hackman’s Doyle is a shitty guy, racist, single-mindedly willing to do anything (including break the law) to bust the perps; Scheider’s Russo is along for the ride. Based on a true story and you aren’t surprised that this is how the NYPD may have operated – the location settings add to the gritty allure.