Product: French Connection [VHS] (1971)
Rating: 4.0
Realism is the key
The French Connection is one of the greatest cop films because it is very believable. All the characters seem like real people, and the bad guy's plot is very logical and simple. The world famous car chase scene is very realistic, and it feels very intense because of its realism. Gene Hackman's character of Detective Doyle is stunning, Doyle is not a good man by any means. Doyle drinks, loves young women, and has a terribly short temper. He gets caught up in chasing The Frenchman, dedicating himself to the pursuit. Roy Scheider's character of Det. Russo is much more straight laced and calm compared to Doyle, and the tow character balance each other. The camera work in the chase scenes is simple and brutal, and director William Friedkin really makes a film that is basically about two guys following two other guys very suspenseful and real. No cars flip over and explode, the action is fast paced and logical. Modern film makers could really take a lesson from this film, that explosions and gun battles are not necessary to make a suspenseful action film.