This neo-noir crime film reeks of atmosphere. Directed by the legendary Frenchman Jean Pierre Melville and starring the French heartthrob Alain Delon as the main character Le Samourai is a great classic of world cinema. Delon is an contractual assassin and his latest hit gets him in some soup. The style is minimalist and the cinematography is bleak on purpose. Though there are some plot holes which can be found if studied deeply I feel that the film is meant to be a stylish take on a philosophy and in that capacity it works perfectly. If you wish to get into French films than this is a straightforward flick full of fedora wearing assassins and nightclub singers that can be helpful.

European films are known for the French New Wave style of filmmaking where they break the rules, especially in the editing room. The jump cuts originated from them, they cut their films without following the rules set upon by the Hollywood filmmakers which is suppose to be like this - establishing shot to know the location then medium to go closer to the characters, and then close-up for the dialogues. I have seen many old French films who disregards these techniques, but I was surprised to see this in Le Samourai a crime film starring Alain Delon about a professional hit man named Jeff Costello. Viewing this in the 21st century days of filmmaking I have to say it is beyond its time. It doesn't only have that Hollywood film-noir style, but it has the contemporary indie filmmaking of today which is slow-burn and edgy.Le Samourai is about Jeff Costello a hit man for hire who is tasked to kill an owner of a nightclub for the price of 2 million, but everything goes wrong when the nightclub's pianist played by Cathy Rosier sees him after the crime. The investigation happens after and Jeff Costello's alibi is strongly believed by the police because of the convincing statements of his lover who is also his accomplice, but the head of the investigation is not impressed, and after Costello's release the police still plots some investigations. The pianist who is the only witness of the crime denies the accusation that Jeff Costello is the murderer, and this leads to Jeff Costello wanting to know more about the pianist if she is hired to protect him or she has hidden affection to him. And then everything becomes a cat and mouse game.The mise-en-scene of the film is gloomy and dark it evokes the soulless act of killing. Jeff Costello's costume has a distinct trademark and character into it. He wears a fedora hat and brown trench coat, but inside of that he's wearing a dark suit which depicts who he is inside an empty and obscure person. Almost all of the character in the film is dressed in gray and dark tone which uplifts the edginess of the film. The cinematography isn't that impressive compared to some Hitchcock films which is also released in those decades. It losses it's suspense because the cinematography is not giving us hints or clues, but it releases actions abruptly. In terms of acting everyone is greatly directed especially the protagonist played by Alain Delon, he shows a nuance and silent approach to the character which reminds me of Ryan Gosling's acting in Drive or maybe that's Gosling's spirit animal that time. Cathy Rosier is elegant and mesmerizing with her role as a pianist she manages to attract my eyes every time she comes in the scene and her skin tone makes her more unique, and her last scene in the film is memorable.The structure of the story is very well-thought of by opening it slowly in a room apartment without nothing happening is an amusing approach making us viewers think what will be the journey of this story before it starts and it turns out to be unpredictable, and on the revelation scenes everyone will be on the edge of their seats. The denouement part of the film in the nightclub is a memorable scene and I think I will remember forever.Le Samourai is a thrilling experience, but it lacks big and explosive moments. I feel like the film is concentrating on the nuances of the characters rather than action scenes and I think that's not bad at all. I'm just waiting for snappier moments in the film that will make me jump off my chair.

LE SAMOURAI is a mysterious crime drama film that is made in the pattern of Hollywood gangster films in the noir genre. Mr. Mellville has added several popular details from Japanese culture into a fictitious gangster story. The protagonists, costumes, nightclubs, streets and murders have all the characteristics of the noir genre.Jef Costello lives in a single-room Paris apartment whose spartan furnishings include a little bird in a cage. He is a professional Parisian assassin-for-hire who, by nature of his work's solitary demands, has no friends. Although he is loved by Jane, Costello knows that she already has a lover. After he successfully wipes out a nightclub owner at the behest of his boss, he is seen leaving the scene by several witnesses, including piano player Valérie. Although he survives a police lineup thanks to a lie offered up by the fearless Valerie, Costello's alibi disintegrates rapidly and his shadowy employer takes out a contract on him. He seeks revenge...This is a sort of moral value test in rough circumstances. Namely, the main protagonist is in conflict with the law, his boss and himself. He does not make the difference between human shades. He does what he is paid for, and that, of course, will lead him to his seppuku.This film contains very little dialogue, characterization could have been better, but, the atmosphere is great.Alain Delon as Jef Costello is an attractive man and a cold-blooded killer at the same time. His selfish nature makes him incompetent to life, but unswerving when it comes to his work. Mr. Delon has offered a very good performance.His support are François Périer as a persistent investigating officer, Nathalie Delon (Jane) as a devoted "fiancé", who provides almost perfect alibi, and Cathy Rosier (Valérie) as a brave and enigmatic piano player.The direction is certainly impeccable, however, the plot is a frozen and the romance is improperly superficial.

be forewarnedthis is a french movie.french movies have different conception of what's cool. They are obsessed with showing human frailty as much as Hollywood is with happy ending.In a sense this is a french mainstream movie. spoilerThat being said, Le Samourai is a bad movie. Jeff Costello the main character has shown little expertise as a hired gun, because he let himself be seen entering and exiting the office quarter of the club (the crime scene). even if the pianist didn't accidentally saw him in the corridor, there were still a lot witnesses who can describe the suspicious character who left the office quarter of the club.Moreover the commissioner has little ground and evidence to commit a whole lot of police resources to stalk and eventually chase Costello. Director Jean Pierre Meville was too eager to set off this movie of frailty of assassin, he forgot the building block