The Crook

Jean-Louis Trintignant was never as big a star as Belmondo or Delon, but in my eyes he was at least their equal in charisma. With his acting skills and his economical gestures, he was able to express everything, and here, as a entertaining goon, he shines to the fullest. A little drama about a guy who masterfully fucked with the judiciary, the police and naive citizens. Lelouch composes it brilliantly, how many times the story has the upper hand over the viewer, maintains tension and mystery, and the kidnapping of a boy from a banker's family and the way Lelouch handles the chronology of the narrative is a masterpiece of screenwriting. A very good film. (04/07/2023)