Runtime: 97 minutes
Directed by: Jacques Deray
Starring: Jean-Paul Belmondo, Henry Silva, Carlos Sotto Mayor, Pierre Vernier, Tcheky Karyo
From: Cerito Films/Les Films Ariane
Belmondo playing a Black Knight pinball table: a moment I did not know I needed but am glad I got.
The past several days I was unexpectedly busy but thankfully I had the time late last night to watch something, and I figured it was time to see another later action picture from Jean-Paul Belmondo, who was quite popular in Europe and even while middle-aged did all his own stunts.
The plot to this... I might as well copy and paste from what some dude on IMDb calling themselves nufs68 wrote up, because why not: "Fed-up with the inefficiency of the Marseille police, Paris sends drug-enforcement specialist Philippe Jordan to Marseille. He's supposed to assist the local law enforcement dismantle the drug networks, especially mobster Sauveur Mecacci's network. So far, Mecacci has managed to elude capture or successful prosecution by local authorities. However, Inspector Philippe Jordan's unorthodox law enforcement style may prove efficient against Mecacci if Jordan receives a free-hand green-light from the Marseille police bosses and if he survives the frequent attempts against his life, of course. Once at work, Inspector Philippe Jordan's rough style creates mayhem in the city of Marseille and triggers numerous complaints from the Mayor's Office, from outraged citizens and from the lawyers of a scared Mecacci who wants to see Jordan dead. These things, in turn, tell Jordan he's on the right track. "
Clearly, Jordan is a loose cannon, not a surprise for this sort of Belmondo film. Much to my delight, Mecacci was played by the legendary Henry Silva; hearing him dubbed in French was a hoot. Furthermore, Tcheky Karyo has a small role. While Silva only appears in a few scenes, I still had a real good time with this. In terms of tone and style, I was reminded of a poliziotteschi... the hero is a rebel and a bad-ass, sleaze is ever-present, a funky score is present-in this instance, from Morricone-there is an amusing side mission or two, and the action includes car/foot chases, shootouts, fist-fights, and more.It's the type of trash I enjoy; I mean, Belmondo even hooks up with an attractive young hooker!
I don't want to give too much away but I laughed that Belmondo drives both a crappy old Talbot hatchback and a Renault 18i station wagon... along with the realization that in 1983 France, roller discos were still a thing, and you could even play pinball in those joints.
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