The early Bogart roles (High Sierra, To Have and Have Not, but even Casablanca) are cited as an American model for Melville's hero-types, but there are big differences, particular they way they interact with women. I'm thinking too of their coldness, their lack of charm and wit, their preference for action over language. Was Melville a fan of Japanese films, perhaps? Or is he too early that?

A new print of Melville's Cercle Rouge recently played in NYC; with its amazingly almost-silent soundtrack. Its title and opening credits are from the Buddha, and it contains the best scene of delirium tremens in memory.Le Samourai is my favorite. Then again, Alain Delon made coldness, lack of charm and wit the sexiest thing on the planet.
- bruno 4-06-2003 11:50 pm





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