My Favourite Casino Film, Twice
I open my blog with two of my favourite pieces of cinematography. The French film Bob le Flambeur was released in 1956 and an English-language remake was shot half a century later, The Good Thief starring Hollywood’s favourite bad boy, Nick Nolte. I first saw the American production, then dug out the French original from our college library to see it. Which one did I enjoy more? That is a nice question. Let me think about it.
The French film had all the typical elements of the art standards and period of its making. I love black-and-white cinema, of course, and the fascination of the camera action. Operators and directors were capable of doing wonders with such imperfect technology and props. Most of the subtle nuances of the profession used to be accomplished by hard manual work and pure skill. The effects, as exuberant as they were, were the result of dedicated hours of team-work and close-to-none technology. But: to the plots and let’s see which one is my winner.
In the French film, a middle-aged and nearly broke gangster, Bob, decides to rob the casino in Deauville. He is an ex-convict after an ill-fated attempt at robbing a bank. A gentleman of style, Bob is well-liked in the community of hedonists where he spends his nights. He is such a legend that even cops like him. However, it is hard to maintain expensive ways on nothing a year, so Bob needs one good job in order to secure for himself his usual lifestyle. His plan, however, goes wrong in so many ways, that it would be a great confusion should I start describing all right now.
In brief, he shares his plan with a couple of friends who share it forward, quite unintentionally, thus putting the whole operation at a great risk. The police inspector who is tipped about it owes Bob a favour as he was the one to save his life when a gangster was about to shoot him dead. So, instead of trying to frame him, the police officer goes to Bob’s place to warn him. Bob is not there, and he enters the casino without knowing that the police will come for him. The other major twist forms around Bob’s winning streak of the night. Because his inside man fails to show up, the gambler dances with Lady Luck till 5 a. m. and walks out of the casino after cashing in his winnings only to see the entrance heavily loaded with police waiting to arrest him.
The other Bob, played by Nick Nolte, was born to an American father and a French mother and plans a hit on one of the Nice casinos. He intends to accomplish a double robbery: one fake and one real and hopes to confuse the police with all that. He aims not for the money of the casino, but the beautiful and extremely valuable paintings decorating it. Instead of doing that, he goes on his winning streak over the night, only to find that the casino safe has been emptied when he goes to cash in his honest money. The Bob of Neil Jordan’s piece is somewhat different from the Melville one. Nick Nolte plays a junkie with a wrecked life who is good in his heart but doesn’t show much of the old-fashioned style which distinguishes the character of Roger Duchesne.
So, if you want to know which film I liked better, I must admit I admired the original for its chivalrous spirit and elegant black-and-white edit. The second point is not too valid, I admit, because new films just don’t get shot in that colour scheme which makes the two incomparable in that aspect.
Which version did you like better? What differences did you see in the characters’ representations and the artistic means of conveying the directors’ ideas that played an important role in your evaluation? Do share, please.
I am Dorian (but not Gray), hailing from Manchester. I am 21 and I love several things in life. None of them goes well with the others. That’s why I have many blogs and maintain a number of personae on social media. Thank God for Internet anonymity! Clouding the sky rocks even when not done with style.