William Friedkin

 William Friedkin




The French Connection (1971)



RANKED:


1. The French Connection (1971)


Sure, "The French Connection" has a pretty standard 'cop hunting down drug kingpin' storyline. Sure, the characters' motivations aren't that complex. Sure, it fits neatly into the standard genre format of a crime thriller. However, William Friedkin injects a certain kineticism - a tonal propulsion that causes the viewer to sink into the singular focus of our crime-stopping protagonists. Whether or not "The French Connection" is able to escape some of its genre trappings is a moot point in considering its bustling energy, its dynamic realism, and how unforgettable its chase sequences are. 

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