This french TV crime flick is adapted from a Pierre Lesou's novel, the author of LE DOULOS, L'ARDOISE, UN CONDE, JE VOUS SALUE MAFIA and some other features all adapted for TV. Jean-Pierre Melville made LE DOULOS, every movie buff knows that. Every one fond of crime films, I mean. LE DOULOS was a true master piece, those same movie lovers won't deny that too. The other movies made from Lesou's books were not so tremendous, not bad either, but certainly not at the same scale as LE DOULOS.
But, there is another Lesou's novel that was adapted for the big screen: MAIN PLEINE. From Michel Deville, who made LUCKY JO, in I964, staring Eddie Constantine. A comedy. Useless to say that it was a total waste. Jean-Pierre Melville later said in an interview that he intended to make a film from MAIN PLEINE, in the same accuracy from the novel as he already did for LE DOULOS.
When I read that, Melville making another crime film from Lesou, I was astonished, but as every one knows, he never did it. Only because Deville made the film instead, but in his own way.
That makes me puke. What a waste.
Main Pleine, the novel, was a terrific story, as was LE DOULOS, from which Melville made a very faithful adaptation. A true adjustment.
So, back to this MAIN PLEINE TV movie, also adapted from Lesou's novel, we can say that it is far better than the Deville's crap that was, I repeat, a comedy.
The tale of a gangster who has to deal in a complex two level story, between two gangs. A very clever and smart story. Gerard Darmon is here at his best.
I won't spoil the feature any further, but it's really Worth.
But, unfortunately, not as much as what it could have been in Melville's hands.
But, there is another Lesou's novel that was adapted for the big screen: MAIN PLEINE. From Michel Deville, who made LUCKY JO, in I964, staring Eddie Constantine. A comedy. Useless to say that it was a total waste. Jean-Pierre Melville later said in an interview that he intended to make a film from MAIN PLEINE, in the same accuracy from the novel as he already did for LE DOULOS.
When I read that, Melville making another crime film from Lesou, I was astonished, but as every one knows, he never did it. Only because Deville made the film instead, but in his own way.
That makes me puke. What a waste.
Main Pleine, the novel, was a terrific story, as was LE DOULOS, from which Melville made a very faithful adaptation. A true adjustment.
So, back to this MAIN PLEINE TV movie, also adapted from Lesou's novel, we can say that it is far better than the Deville's crap that was, I repeat, a comedy.
The tale of a gangster who has to deal in a complex two level story, between two gangs. A very clever and smart story. Gerard Darmon is here at his best.
I won't spoil the feature any further, but it's really Worth.
But, unfortunately, not as much as what it could have been in Melville's hands.