The Gypsy

Deloin plays a gypsy and looks slightly ridiculous. The plot is overcomplicated because of the addition of master burglar Yan. The main police officer is a colorless character. But still it is a reasonable entertaining film. Perhaps a bit too slow here and there. If you're looking for Eurocrime, there is definitely better material out there.

I found this movie to be low-key and subtle. There are three parallel story streams led by Delon as the gypsy Hugo Sennart, Meurisse as Yan Kuq the fence and safe cracker, and Bozzuffi as the cop whose task it is to bring them in. The film is character driven, but interest in the characters grows while watching the film as opposed to movies in which the characters demand attention from the beginning. It is a story primarily about men. These are hard people whether Gypsy, cop, or thief, and any sentimentality is tempered with cold reality. Several scenes with Alain Delon and young boys support the growing understanding that Sennart (Delon)is running out of time and add to the sense of underlying melancholy. The scene with Delon watching the flight of flamingos is something I will never forget or grow tired of watching. I would describe this movie as beautiful - subdued - with strong emotional undercurrents.

Another film directed and adapted by the very same person: Jose Giovanni, as he already did for LA SCOUMOUNE, three years earlier. This movie starring Alain Delon is rather well made, with convincing performances, especially Annie Girardot as a supporting character. The underworld is of course shown in a way different as it is now. A lost atmosphere, with much nostalgia. I love this. I would point out that the Paul Meurisse and Marcel Bozzufi's characters are here the total opposite as they were in LE DEUXIEME Soufflé, also adapted from Giovanni and directed by Jean-Pierre Melville. In this movie, the Melville's one, Meurisse was the cop and Bozziffi the Hood. Here, Bozzuffi is the cop and Meurisse the gangster. A film that makes you think of the gypsies way of life and the behavior that the french government shows against this community. The way the authorities ostracize those people. It may be revolting.