The French Connection (1971)

 William Friedkin's "The French Connection"


Going into "The French Connection," I wasn't sure what 'kind' of film to expect. Obviously, it's a police thriller of sorts. But, because of how lauded it is, how critically praised it was at the time of its release, and the number of Academy Awards it won (5), I was curious as to how people were so affected.

After watching the film, I came to my own conclusion. "The French Connection" is a good film, not a great one. To me, William Friedkin's 1971 crime drama contains some of the most stereotypical 'police' stories one would expect from the genre's format. Its story, its pacing, and its basic scenario of 'finding a global drug kingpin' all make it something not so different from a TV cop show.

That being said, fitted within this standard framework lies Friedkin's kinetic energy, his stylized execution, and his ability to pull the viewer into 'the chase.' To me, the chase sequences in this film are some of the best, most well-executed chase sequences I've ever seen put to film. On top of this, the simmering tone leaps off the page. The characters, their motivations, and the plot are all pretty boring, uninteresting elements to an otherwise bouncing atmosphere. 

So, I feel as though these incredible scenes and the overall aesthetics of "The French Connection" make it a worthwhile watch, along with it's morally ambiguous ending. Despite the standard format it comes in, its brightness certainly outweighs its lack of imagination. For that, it's understandable why it's so widely considered a great work.

 


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