Product: The French Connection I & II (1975)
Rating: 5.0
Deservedly acclaimed picture
Although William Friedkin was unhappy with the casting of the key characters (according to the BBC documentary), it turns out to be inspired. Hackman as the fiery, impulsive lead. Scheider as the long-suffering partner who acts as go-between during Popeye Doyle's many disputes. Fernando Rey, a Spaniard apparently couldn't speak any French, but his accent is ideal for the Marseilles drugs syndicate boss, Charnier. His beard and felt hat add to his genial and inscrutable manner.Friedkin brilliantly contrasts the luxury, 5 star existence of the drugs boss and his henchman in New York, with the poor, seedy existence of the cops. In one scene, the camera focuses on the criminals enjoying a fabulous lunch in a downtown restaurant. Then it focuses on Doyle and Cloudy freezing in a shop doorway across the street, eating takeaway pizza.While Doyle is chasing Charnier on foot through the streets of New York, all we see are two pairs of legs: Charnier striding effortlessly and confidently along, Doyle running and stumbling to keep up. Every time we see a glimpse of Charnier's silver-topped umbrella, there is a clang in the music score. The editing and direction here, as elsewhere are superb.