Touchez pas au grisbi (1954) Reviews

• Gangsters In Their Pajamas

  Xploitedyouth2006-03-12

  For fans of American gangster films, Jacque Becker's TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI may seem like a radical departure from the violence and excess of films like THE GODFATHER and GOODFELLAS. It's a quiet film about quiet men, living out their golden years in a dignified manner. Much of the film is spent watching Max (Jean Gabin) as he dines with friends, cavorts with his mistresses and listens to his favorite tune on his old record player. The amazing thing about the film is that there's never any question that Max can be a dangerous man. There's a famous scene where Max and his long-time partner Riton (Rene Dary) eat pate, set up their sleeping quarters, dress in their pajamas and go to sleep without exchanging a word. There's an amazing, soft tension playing through this entire scene. Riton has screwed up a business deal, as he has done many times in the past, and Max is getting fed up. I was reminded throughout this scene of the famous line from GOODFELLAS about assassins coming as friends. This certainly would have been the right time for Max to whack Riton, if that were what he wanted. But he doesn't, because honor and loyalty are important aspects of Max's life, and he will protect his friend even though their big retirement job may be jeopardized. Max is, quite simply, the least Americanized gangster in film history, and he's a remarkable character. Jean Gabin solidifies his reputation as the greatest French film actor of all time through subtlety, nuance, and natural charisma. The film itself is painted with the rich black-and-white brush strokes of the best film noir, and truly succeeds in transporting the viewer to another place and time. A genuine, under-appreciated masterpiece.

• Classic French noir

  evileyereviews2010-08-30

  This masterpiece of French noir exemplifies the depth of friendship and honor between thieves in this classic. The protagonist and his partner could not be more different, but through the years they have developed a friendship beyond mere love, a friendship cemented in the trenches of criminal warfare and not to be trifled with. The plot's treachery is utilized to effect as the polar opposite of this eternal bond, a bond which is best elucidated with some of the more mundane aspects of life. This bond is also compared with the superficial love between the sexes, where men love their woman only during the act of love. The acting was sublime, with heavies Jean Gabin, Lino Ventura, as well as some mightily proportioned women to grace the eyes. The direction and camera work were wonderful, and the score was the perfect compliment to the darker side of life. Genruk' Evil Eye Reviews

• Dark, gritty and superbly executed

  MartinHafer2009-04-26

  Sometimes actors never know when to quit--playing youthful roles long after they are obviously too old to realistically carry off the character. However, in a brave move, actor Jean Gabin plays a role of an older man who is simply tired and ready to call it quits on his life of crime. Gabin was 50 years-old when he made this film and, if anything, looks a good bit older than that--looking more like a man of 60. It was refreshing to see him playing such an unglamorous role. Max (Gabin) is a very cool guy. His manners are pretty effortless and he is a big man in the underworld. However, despite being "on top", he's very tired of the life and longs for retirement. Unknown to the other thugs, Max and his friend (Riton) committed a huge heist of 50,000.000 francs in gold a year earlier. That's because Max is smart--real smart. Instead of running away or spending the money, he just sat tight and did nothing to tip his hand. His contingency plans were brilliant as well and he seemed to have covered every base. Too bad that Riton wasn't quite as smart, as a "dame" weaseled this secret out of him and told another crook--who now is determined to get the gold. When Riton is captured, what will Max do? Will he leave his old friend or will he give up the gold to ransom Riton? And, even if he does surrender the loot, what then?! The film did a great job creating a Film Noir ambiance that is uniquely French. In the 50s, the French began imitating American Noir but often they made it uniquely their own--with grittier dialog (with much spicier language), a bit of nudity and a sharper edge. Aside from TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI ("Don't Touch the Loot"), other such French films as BOB LE FLAMBEUR ("Bob the Gambler") and RIFIFI proved that in some ways, even, the French could do Noir better--achieving a certain realistic sleaziness that American censors wouldn't allow. For example, when Bob grabs a showgirl's breast backstage, you know this sure ain't a Hollywood film of the 50s! Overall, there's nothing not to like about the film. A very taut yet leisurely script, excellent acting and a dynamite finale--this film is terrific.

• Wonderful gangster-story by Jacques Becker

  pzanardo2002-11-22

  It would be nonsense to give an order of merit to the three cinematic masterpieces by director Jacques Becker. However, personally I love "Touchez pas au grisbi" even more than "Casque d'or" or "Le Trou". In "Touchez pas au grisbi" we find all we can ask from a Becker's film: splendid black-and-white cinematography, evocative, romantic atmosphere, brilliant script, stunning excellence of the actors' job. But here we get more: a tough, perfectly written gangster-story, swift pace and action blended with an outstanding psychological design. The movie is mainly a story of friendship and honor. We have two old pals, two aged gangsters close to retire: Max (Jean Gabin), smart and clever, well aware that their best years are over, and Riton (Rene Dary), naive and rash, unable to accept the end of their youth, even dumb if you want, but extremely brave and devoted to his friend. Max is constantly grumbling against Riton and the troubles he causes. He scorns Riton's courage... brains and good sense, that's the important thing... But when it's the time for action, we see how deep and touching their friendship is, how ready they are to sacrifice themselves for each other. In other words, there are circumstances when only courage and honor count... According to his usual style, Becker describes the world of criminals as a weird parallel of the world of "decent people". To be a gangster appears a job like another: a day at the office. See Max's poise and professional way, when he negotiates the value of the "grisbi" (the swag) with the receiver. And when Max is going to face a last-blood gang-war, he quietly leaves a large sum of money to a trusted bar-maid, in case of need "... to tip somebody (i.e. police or judges)... to fix possible problems... you know better..." Inside a story narrated in the most understated way, Becker inserts unexpected explosions of violence. Take the owner of the Night Club, another old pal of Max's and Riton's. Poised, always silent, short, fat, with thick glasses, he seems the less harmful person. Yet, suddenly, and without a single word of comment, he starts to brutally beat a thug from a rival gang. And, with the machine-gun, he shows himself even tougher than Max and Riton. Of course, the movie also offers a Gabin's trade-mark scene, when he slaps everybody, men and women as well. Great stuff: toughness mixed with sense of humour. Gabin's performance is at the highest level reached in a glorious career. What else to add? "Touchez pas au grisbi" is a fantastic masterpiece. Moreover, I guess that this film is good for all tastes , which probably can't be said for other Becker's cinematic gems.

• A true classic

  boardwalk_angel2005-05-23

  "Grisbi" is a true classic...... Highly influential French noir/crime thriller/drama....shamefully obscure & undeservedly overlooked until now...Criterion DVD finally released in January....actually kinda ruined my evening..I had planned on watching another movie after this one..but I didn't want to let this one out of my head yet,..it was that good. 1954 Paris sparkles in glorious black & white..Jean Gabin & the whole cast, including a very young & relatively unknown Jeanne Moreau, is wonderful..Jacque Becker's direction is impeccable. The great Jean Gabin stars as Max , an aging gangster, who, along with his longtime friend & partner , Riton , has pulled one last job and intends to retire as soon as it's safe to cash in the millions in gold bullion they have stolen. Max is an anachronism...his style, moral code, honor & ways are caught up in changing times...a theme that fans of some of the best American Westerns will recognize in this film... It'a an absorbing , character-driven story...leading to a lonely highway with guns drawn ..trying to keep from losing everything. Highly recommended.