The French Connection: Is This the Best Crime Movie Ever?

The French Connection

Director William Friedkin’s 1971 crime thriller, The French Connection, isn’t just a good movie; it’s a masterclass in tension and gritty realism. Forget the glamorous, stylized crime flicks. This one feels like you’re right there in the dark, cold streets of New York City. Gene Hackman stars as Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, a detective whose methods are as rough as his demeanor. He’s not a polished hero; he’s flawed, driven, and at times, questionable. Doyle is not a man concerned with rules. He’s hellbent on catching criminals.

The film’s plot is deceptively simple: Popeye and his partner, played by Roy Scheider as Buddy “Cloudy” Russo, stumble onto a drug smuggling operation with connections to France. What starts as a routine investigation quickly escalates into a dangerous game of cat and mouse. The film features Fernando Rey as Alain Charnier, a sophisticated French heroin smuggler, and Tony Lo Bianco as Sal Boca, a criminal with ties to the operation. The supporting cast, including Marcel Bozzuffi as Pierre Nicoli, provides a web of connections that make the case increasingly intricate.

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What makes The French Connection so compelling is its commitment to authenticity. The car chase, a now iconic scene, is brutal and chaotic, devoid of the typical Hollywood polish. The camera work is raw and immediate. The editing is sharp and quick, reflecting the frenetic pace of the investigation. The film doesn’t romanticize police work or criminal life. It presents them with a blunt honesty, creating a viewing experience that feels more like a documentary than a fictional story.

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Hackman’s performance is a force of nature. He embodies the frustration, anger, and relentless determination of Popeye Doyle. Scheider, too, is great as his more reserved partner. The two have great chemistry and their opposing styles of work make for compelling viewing. The film’s pacing keeps things constantly moving with an ever present feeling of pressure. Even if you’ve seen it before, there’s always something new to discover within each viewing.

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The French Connection is a gritty, realistic, intense and compelling crime drama. It’s a movie that earns its place among the greats of the genre.

The French Connection is a 20th Century Fox production.
Release Date: 1971
Director: William Friedkin
Cast: Gene Hackman, Roy Scheider, Fernando Rey, Tony Lo Bianco, Marcel Bozzuffi

Head of film reviews at The Viewers Guide with an erudite, insightful, slightly sardonic, deep appreciation for classic cinema. Has a habit of quoting obscure lines from old films in everyday conversation. He keeps a meticulously organized film logbook. He's a bit of a tea snob.