Film Review: The French Connection (18) (U.S.A. 1971) (English & French with English Subtitles) (Director: William Friedkin) Tuesday 19.06.2012 17:30 Filmhouse Screen One Edinburgh + Q&A with William Friedkin After the Film. 

I had got a ticket for this film, prior to it being announced that the director was going to come along after the screening for a Q&A, so that was a nice brucy bonus.

I see little point in reviewing the film, as what can be said except that it is a classic which has been borrowed from over and over again down the years. Seeing it for the first time in a cinema helped to appreciate how we composed it is. It is a very lean film, absolutely no extraneous scenes. It is also noted as one of the first classic cop films to have no moral grandstanding, it is solely about getting the job done, and being committed to getting the job done well, with occasional displays of bad behaviour that don't get too out of hand to compromise the job. Also not all of the cops live, not only that but the cop that dies at the end dies from the accidental shot of another officer. It showed a realness to policing and the fact that people in jobs where they have to work with the best of intentions, can still be as prone to mistakes as anyone else.

Rating (without hesitation): 10/10.

Friedkin in person appeared to be humble, approachable and welcoming, frank and realistic - began by saying no area was out of bouds for asking questions and gave frank views about working in the U.S. now, and the likes of working with Gene Hackman and how he had to approach working with him and how this was different to working with any other actor. There was quite a bit of discussion about the film 'Cruising' with Al Pacino, and he was asked to share his world view. I was particularly intrigued by this. He was very quick to respond and stated that most of human behaviour is absurd and also that every person has good and bad within them in varying degrees, and that this complexity of human character and behaviour is where his interest lies. It did strike me as similar to my own outlook and that I view most behaviour as absurd. I did wish the Q&A could last a bit longer - not often that gets said. He appeared very interesting company and was captivating to listen to.