The Netflix envelope described this film as a little bit gangster film and a little bit samurai film. This simplifying of the film is extremely misleading. It is french new wave through and through. While it might borrow archetypes and atmospheres from those other genres, it's really more of a study in minutia. The tiny details. This actually reflects the inner workings of our main character, Jef Costello, an assasin for hire. He's meticulous, calculating and takes great care in the details around him.
About 45 minutes into the film, my father (who was watching with me at the time) said "They better kill someone soon and it better be with a damn sword." I laughed and realized how his statement was representative of how the Netflix envelope is misleading. It would be more accurate if it had described the film as "A slow paced character study of a cold blooded killer set against the backdrop of 1960s Paris night clubs and alleyways."
The performances are top notch, the women are beautiful and the scenery is stellar. But if you're signing on for plot or excitement, this is not the right french new wave film for you.
Click here for a youtube upload of the trailer.
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