![]() When Riton is captured, what will Max do? Will he leave his old friend or will he give up the gold to ransom Riton? And, even if he does surrender the loot, what then?! The film did a great job creating a Film Noir ambiance that is uniquely French. Too bad that Riton wasn't quite as smart, as a "dame" weaseled this secret out of him and told another crook-who now is determined to get the gold. His contingency plans were brilliant as well and he seemed to have covered every base. Instead of running away or spending the money, he just sat tight and did nothing to tip his hand. Unknown to the other thugs, Max and his friend (Riton) committed a huge heist of 50,000.000 francs in gold a year earlier. However, despite being "on top", he's very tired of the life and longs for retirement. ![]() His manners are pretty effortless and he is a big man in the underworld. It was refreshing to see him playing such an unglamorous role. Gabin was 50 years-old when he made this film and, if anything, looks a good bit older than that-looking more like a man of 60. However, in a brave move, actor Jean Gabin plays a role of an older man who is simply tired and ready to call it quits on his life of crime. This eventually leaves the audience in a haze of bewilderment, as Touchez Pas Au Grisbi offers a complex and enriching cinematic experience.Sometimes actors never know when to quit-playing youthful roles long after they are obviously too old to realistically carry off the character. Much is due to Becker's marvelous directing, which comes together through all the aspects of filmmaking. The cast around Gabin also displays nice work as they all accentuate Max's uniqueness by being fairly simple characters. The character that Jean Gabin delivers to the screen is marvelously multifaceted, as he portrays the gentleman thief by being a tender lover, clever diplomat, friendly patron, and firm interrogator. This is depicted through Max who is undergoing a personal life changing experience, as he is confronted by events around him that make him question what he is doing. ![]() Touchez Pas Au Grisbi is a stunning gangster tale where the old ways are to face off with the new. This was to be Max's final job before retirement, however, the newcomers in the criminal underworld seem to want change his destiny. Recently Max carried out a job that brought him and his partner Riton 50 million worth in Orly gold bars. Younger generations are cutting into the growing drug business without the consideration of others, and these young newcomers show little class while they trample on everyone in their sight. The professional life, which Max has chosen for himself is also undergoing a transformation. Max even discloses this to his friend Riton (René Dary) while having found out that Riton's young girlfriend has found a younger lover, as she has previously given Riton empty promises of love. The life he once desired is no longer as appealing, as he decides that he wants to return home early. The many visits to the night clubs have led Max to discover that he has grown old, and many of the people around him are older. The story takes place in Paris where Max lives life with a women half his age while spending untold numbers of nights desiring the same meaningless affection from the women seeking their way into men's wallets. Nostalgia swallows Jacques Becker's crime story about the aging criminal and gentleman Max (Jean Gabin). Touchez Pas Au Grisbi, which was shot over a half century ago, depicts the coming of this new criminal element. This could be seen up close in a grotesque manner in the brilliant Maria Full of Grace (2004) where humans are being regarded as pack mules. These films visualize the frightening power money has on people. Films such as Scarface (1983), New Jack City (1991), or any of Takashi Miike's violent gangster illustrations depict the new style of gangsters that contemporary society is facing where disloyal and ill-mannered thugs roll in the direction of dough. The days of gentlemen criminals are long gone. When people see a true gentleman they only see the exterior, and it is this exterior that money buys. These qualities are what define a gentleman. Refinement, sophistication, and class are qualities that should be attached with characteristics such as trust, confidence, and mutual respect. However, this vain perception of class has nothing to do with one's self conduct. In our contemporary society this confusion is frequently expressed through flamboyance, which is usually the result of how money talks. Class is often confused with style and fashion in the regards to how one dresses.
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