Alain Delon is excellent as Monsieur Robert Klein in director Joseph Losey’s complex and fascinating film that follows the case of confused identity between a Paris art dealer and a Jew the Nazis want to deport in 1942. It also stars Jeanne Moreau as Florence, Suzanne Flon as the concierge and Michel [Michael] Lonsdale as Pierre.
The French gave this chic 1976 enigma film the 1977 César for the year’s Best Film, Losey the César for Best Director and Alexandre Trauner the César for Best Production Design. There can be no doubts about the well-deployed talent and high-level expertise involved, but it is a dark and glum art house movie, all a bit gloomy and arty for noir-style mystery thriller entertainment.
However, it is remarkable as a lovingly crafted film made by a master: the Eastmancolor cinematography (Gerry Fisher) and set designs (Alexandre Trauner, Olivier Girard) are first rate. It is scripted by Franco Solinas and Fernando Morandi.
Also in the cast are Louis Seigner, Juliet Berto, Francine Bergé, Jean Bouise, Massimo Girotti, Michel Aumont, Roland Bertin, Jean Champion, Etienne Chicot, Magali Clément, Gérard Jugnot, Francine Racette and Jacques Maury.
Jeanne Moreau (1928–2017) also stars in Losey’s Eva (1962).
© Derek Winnert 2017 Classic Movie Review 5837
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