French cinema at it's most commercial - a heist movie which unites one of its most experienced, beloved stars (Jean Gabin) with an exciting newcomer (Alain Delon), and gives them a top notch story. Gabin is just out of prison with no intention of going straight; he plans to rob a casino near Cannes, and employs former cell mate Delon to get some inside information, which results in him romancing a dancer at the casino.
Now that's a terrific set up, a perfect star vehicle for a younger and older star - so much so one wonders why this wasn't remade by Hollywood (you can just see, say, Edward G. Robinson and Paul Newman in it).
It takes it's time - the film clocks at almost two hours - but it doesn't feel boring, because many of the longer sequences are devoted to suspense. Silly acts by Alain Delon are crucial for two plot twists (getting his picture in the paper and then later panicking and shoving a bag in a swimming pool when all he has to do is wait) but his character is set up enough for this to work. It's cute how they make Delon the idiot and not super cool Gabin.
Actually for most of the movie's running time, it's more Delon's film - he has a big subplot, romancing a dancer in order to get inside informtation (his beauty is exploited). Robbing a casino feels borrowed from Oceans Eleven and the ironic cash ending is reminiscent of The Killing. But an entertaining groovy movie with stars in good form.
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