Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films Sight and Solitude in Le Samouraï (1967) by Jean-Pierre Melville (Part 2)
Aug 5, 2024
Wes and Erin dive into the noir classic, examining the compelling interplay of love and crime. They discuss the realistic character dynamics and how technology shapes the narrative, while unraveling themes of surveillance and paranoia. The moral dilemmas of the samurai code bring forth isolation and the burden of love that affects the protagonist's fate. They also analyze the film's haunting cinematography and the struggle for personal freedom within the rigid constraints of identity, ultimately revealing the complexities of honor and sacrifice.
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Realism Over Action Tropes
- Melville downplays cinematic hyper-competence, showing mundane, fallible techniques like trying keys and bulky surveillance gear.
- This realism makes the hitman feel more human and destabilized by emotional involvement.
Hitmen As Interchangeable Mirrors
- The blonde killer and Jeff mirror each other as interchangeable contract hires, increasing thematic identification.
- Shared wounds and role-swaps emphasize their similar precarious positions in the mob hierarchy.
The Myth Of The Airtight Alibi
- The film’s famed 'airtight alibi' is actually fragile, hinging on a girlfriend's testimony and criminal witnesses.
- This fragility turns what was hired as an asset into a source of suspicion and paranoia.
