Le Samouraï

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Kevin L This was one of the least exciting, interesting, or convincing assassin movies I've seen. And Delon's portrayal of said assassin is likely the least convincing or interesting I've ever seen. Between the bungling of the killing, the poorly choreographed 'fight' scenes, and the inauthentic acting in general (or is it supposed to appear that way? A French New Wave thing?), all that was left of any value for me to appreciate was the story line. That held up reasonably well, but then that fell apart, too. I know what we're supposed to take from the ending, but I have to call bull on that. To think this guy who was so utterly indifferent to murdering ppl for the money would so quickly change to the one who couldn't go through with his last contract, as if he'd turned some philosophical leaf into a secular humanist or the like, I can't buy. But mostly I was bored in general. Delon's Costello is too wooden while trying to be so Joe Cool. The female characters were also so aloof and disaffected. Even the bird was annoying. And were we supposed to think that the bird tipped him off about the bug? 2.3 stars Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 08/13/25 Full Review Stephen C Success in 1 hour and 32 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! In Canadian French and English versions with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review Will G A great French new wave film. The acting was good too. It was about an assassin and the police trying to arrest him. It reminded me of a noir movie. The movie was very stylized. It was nice to see Paris. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/06/25 Full Review acsdoug D I'm going against the consensus I know, but I found this one a bit dull. It's mostly Alain Delon walking around trying to look tough, but he just looks wooden. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/13/25 Full Review Alexsander F Filme com ótimo plot no final, bom roteiro, e sem erros do começo ao fim. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/01/25 Full Review Audience Member A Cinematic Critique of Le Samouraï by Jean-Pierre Melville: A Blend of Beauty, Isolation, and Nihilism Le Samouraï (1967), directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, stands as one of the defining works of neo-noir and crime cinema, transcending its genre’s usual tropes to delve into profound themes of loneliness, alienation, and death. With its masterful cinematography, high-contrast lighting, and cold color palette, Le Samouraï crafts a world devoid of warmth and emotion. The film tells the story of Jef Costello, a professional hitman whose path through silence, isolation, and detachment leads him inexorably toward a seemingly self-chosen death. Cinematography and Framing: Reflection of Isolation One of Le Samouraï's most striking aspects is its meticulously crafted cinematography and framing. Every shot is designed to reflect Jef Costello's profound solitude. The use of high-contrast lighting and deep shadows creates an enigmatic and cold atmosphere that permeates the entire film. The dominance of cold, neutral tones like grays and blues, paired with impersonal architecture and lifeless environments, emphasizes Jef's sense of alienation from the world. These visual elements seamlessly mirror the protagonist’s emotional state. Alain Delon's Performance: Silence in Depth Alain Delon delivers a subtle yet powerful performance as Jef Costello, with his cold demeanor and robotic movements embodying a hitman completely detached from the human experience. Delon’s portrayal, with minimal dialogue and controlled facial expressions, effectively conveys a man who belongs to nothing and no one, merely functioning mechanically in a world he no longer wishes to be part of. The Ending and Suicide: Fate or Nihilism? One of the film’s most provocative elements is its ending. Jef Costello, armed with an unloaded gun and fully aware he is walking to his death, chooses what seems to be a form of suicide. Rather than fighting for survival, he calmly accepts his inevitable demise. This conclusion appears to reflect the film's nihilistic undercurrent, suggesting that life is inherently meaningless and that death may be the only escape from this emptiness. Critique of Nihilism: Denial of Hope and Human Connection The nihilism present in Le Samouraï suggests a bleak and cold philosophy, one that argues life holds no intrinsic meaning, value, or purpose. Jef Costello, with his indifference toward both life and death, represents someone lost in the modern, soulless world with no way out. But is this worldview truly acceptable? The film’s nihilism can be critiqued for its one-sided, pessimistic approach. It implies that there is no hope for change or meaning in life. However, in reality, life is far more complex. Even in the face of alienation and despair, humans possess an innate capacity to create meaning, forge connections, and seek purpose. Le Samouraï overlooks this essential human quality by focusing exclusively on the negative aspects of existence. Despite his isolation, Jef’s fate is not the only possible outcome. Humans, unlike the cold image projected in the film, are beings of hope, resilience, and constant search for meaning. While Jef is estranged from society, this estrangement is not due to any external inevitability but rather to his lack of effort or desire to find his place in the world. Instead of fighting for life, he chooses to embrace death. Yet, another choice always exists: to return to life and attempt to rebuild human connections. Conclusion: A Beautiful but Nihilistic Vision Needing Reconsideration Le Samouraï is a film that excels aesthetically, with its exquisite framing, lighting, and Alain Delon's brilliant performance offering a captivating exploration of isolation and death. However, the nihilistic philosophy that runs through the film offers a limited and disheartening view of life. While the film successfully portrays the void of meaning, it overlooks the fact that life always holds the potential for creating purpose, love, and connection. Nihilism, in the end, is only a temporary lens through which we view reality; human beings are capable of finding their way through this darkness toward light and hope. Le Samouraï may be a film about isolation and death, but it also challenges us to reconsider this narrow outlook and recognize that, even in the face of nihilism, the search for hope and meaning is always within our reach. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 10/19/24 Full Review Read all reviews

Le Samouraï

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