#93. The French Connection

Year: 1971

Director: William Friedkin

Academy Awards:

• Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Best Director
• Best Film Editing
• Best Picture
• Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium

In The French Connection, Gene Hackman plays a rough, tough, don't-take-crap-from-no-one detective named Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle. When Popeye and his partner, Det. Buddy Russo, stumble upon a French drug smuggling circuit, the streets of New York are transformed into a crime scene.

Most well known for its revolutionary train vs. car chase scene, The French Connection brings a surplus of action to the table. When Hackman's character isn't drinking or picking up girls (who he may or may not meet on a bicycle), he's driving around the streets of NYC busting crime. Overall, Popeye Doyle is a very likable character. You can't help but cling to him right off the bat when he beats down a drug dealer while wearing a Salvation Army santa suit. His stalwart stature and raw determination make him an ideal hero for the narcotic streets of New York. Popeye's just the kind of cop who always gets his man. Well, almost always.

Anyway, speaking of the train vs. car chase scene that "stands the test of time", I can only imagine how many minds it blew in 1971. With it's lightning fast cuts (note the Academy Award for editing) and sky high tension, I would be willing to wager this scene turned more heads than any chase sequence since Ben-Hur's Chariot race back in 1959. At first glance, this scene reminded me of both Batman Begins and The Dark Night, along with any other film with notable car chase scenes (Bourne Identity, Gone in 60 Seconds, The Fast and the Furious, etc) Yes, it's influential.

All and all, I really enjoyed this film. Gene Hackman was great, the action was entertaining, and the writing was worthy of its Academy Awards. However, I did feel a bit short changed with the ending. The abrupt closing of the film just kind of gave me and my friends a "blah" feeling. I won't spoil the final few minutes of the movie, but after 100 minutes of great film, the last four leave you asking, "Seriously?"