My first French noir. Louis Malle's classic Elevator to the Gallows depicts a chain of events beginning with the murder of our protagonist's boss. The opening murder sequences play like a cold open of a classic Bond film. It is calm, quiet, neat, and emotionless. And the murderer, Julien Tavernier (Maurice Ronet), has the same charm as James Bond.
The motive is that Tavernier has an affair with the boss' wife Mrs. Carala (Jeanne Moreau with an excellent performance). Tavernier becomes stuck in an elevator (hence the title), and handles this occurrence in true bond fashion: Sit back, relax for a while, and make plans. Carala is searching for him, as she is seen walking in the rain with lights from the street shining on her face in an iconic shot. Another event would be a couple stealing Tavernier's car to worsen the situation.
I expected a straight cat-and-mouse/run-for-your-life thriller, but instead got a crime story told with three intertwining parts. For sure, the parts tie together and wrap up brilliantly, in a way that only noirs do. I give it 10 stars for now; Subject to change after I see more of these.
The motive is that Tavernier has an affair with the boss' wife Mrs. Carala (Jeanne Moreau with an excellent performance). Tavernier becomes stuck in an elevator (hence the title), and handles this occurrence in true bond fashion: Sit back, relax for a while, and make plans. Carala is searching for him, as she is seen walking in the rain with lights from the street shining on her face in an iconic shot. Another event would be a couple stealing Tavernier's car to worsen the situation.
I expected a straight cat-and-mouse/run-for-your-life thriller, but instead got a crime story told with three intertwining parts. For sure, the parts tie together and wrap up brilliantly, in a way that only noirs do. I give it 10 stars for now; Subject to change after I see more of these.