123 of 1001 Movies: Bob Le Flambeur (1956)

Bob Le Flambeur is so beautifully filmed, and the setting of France makes it that much more interesting. On top of that you have the casino lifestyle it's based in, and a lot of dramatic scenes all led by a very charming character. It grabbed me for reasons beyond comprehension. Jean Pierre Melville has a way with directing that builds upon the character, and even the surrounding ones. While the transitions are a little rough and the story a little stretched it's got a good little twist in it.

Bob is a gambler who is running out of money, and he is also running with other people that are in need of money. He seems to view Paolo as a son, and he has taken on a girlfriend, but since he doesn't have money he is struggling to keep her attention. Bob hatches a plan along with other men to bring into the casino and steal the money they keep in the safe. Things go awry when word gets out about their plan though.


Bob Le Flambeur in it's on way is very dark, and even comedic. Whenever Bob seems to be faced with a difficult decision he mostly will go the route that benefits him the most. I guess the bad point of the movie is that Bob never has to learn a lesson about being addicted to gambling. Thankfully he has no tight relationships so no one is having to be involved with his selfishness. The one who seems closely tied to him is Paolo, and I think even he ends up regretting that decision.

The cinematography for the movie is really well done though. The director knows how to capture the atmosphere of France, even in black and white, and make it look sort of whimsical. The night lights and the way the stores are lit just brings out a certain vibe to the whole movie that makes it feel lively but also a bit mysterious. In a lot of ways the lead character, Bob, is just that, mysterious. There is also another character, Anne, who adds to the film. She seems to just be trying to seduce men everywhere in the hopes of some sort of gain that we never exactly understand.

In a lot of this movie seems to view women negatively though. Anne isn't very smart, has no real ambitions, and just isn't very likable. The only thing that can be said about her is that she doesn't really get played by men because she plays them. Even how the men talk about women in the movie just doesn't seem that positive as well. The lead character constantly refers to how you can never trust a woman, and the character's often refer to them in negative terms.

Somehow the film manages to rivet you despite the odd transitions, and not too likable characters. It's beautiful to look at, and is a good early heist movie. There are also some nice twist in it that will either make you laugh, or at least entertain you. It's a bit dark, and never shows the characters learn anything though from their failures.

Rating 8 of 10.