Tirez sur le pianiste (Shoot the Piano Player) (1960)
-
95% of critics liked it
(19 reviews) -
87% of users liked it
(6,307 ratings)
Francois Truffaut's loving homage to Hollywood gangster films is less a plot-filled film noir than a free-associative meditation on the genre. Charles Aznavour stars as a one-time concert pianist who gained fame as Edouard Saroyan but has since changed his name to Charlie Kohler and plays… More Francois Truffaut's loving homage to Hollywood gangster films is less a plot-filled film noir than a free-associative meditation on the genre. Charles Aznavour stars as a one-time concert pianist who gained fame as Edouard Saroyan but has since changed his name to Charlie Kohler and plays honky-tonk in an out-of-the-way saloon. His self-imposed exile is shattered by the appearance of his mobster brother Richard Saroyan (Jacques Aslanian). Richard and his other brother, Chico (Albert Remy), are on the lam from gangsters they've double-crossed. Charlie helps Richard and Chico get away, but he now finds that his life, along with his younger brother Fido's (Richard Kanayan, has been put into jeopardy, having gotten mixed up with gangsters Momo (Claude Mansard) and Ernest (Daniel Boulanger) who are pursuing Richard and Chico. Momo and Ernest keep an eye on Charlie's apartment and, although they don't get Fido, they manage to kidnap Charlie and Lena (Marie Dubois), a co-worker with whom he has fallen in love. But when Ernest runs a red light and is pulled over, Charlie and Lena escape the gangsters' clutches. They take refuge in Lena's apartment, where Charlie sees a poster for a performance by Edouard Saroyan, causing Charlie to think back upon the circumstances that had led him to this moment in his life. Lena and Charlie make love, and Charlie returns to his apartment, only to discover Fido has been kidnapped. Lena and Charlie then head back to his club, where they plan to quit their jobs and try to find Fido. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi
- Directed By
- François Truffaut
- Written By
- David Goodis, François Truffaut
- Genres
- Drama, Romance, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy
- In Theaters
- Oct 21, 1960 Wide
- Studio
- Criterion Collection
Critic Reviews
-
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
The determined jollity of Georges Delerue's saloon piano score, which later opens up to encompass a wide world of romanticism, sets the tone for Francois Truffaut's audacious second feature, made in 1960.
-
J. Hoberman, Village Voice
Truffaut's form of self-reflection is ultimately a way of playing the audience.
-
Melissa Anderson, Time Out New York
Often overlooked, Truffaut's wonderful second film stars Charles Aznavour, master of the chanson, in his only collaboration with the director.
-
Bosley Crowther, New York Times
It is a teasing and frequently amusing (or moving) film that M. Truffaut has made, but it simply does not hang together.
-
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
One of those rare movies that you're sorry to see end.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Currently unavailable on Flixster
Also available on
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Cast
-
Charles Aznavour
as Edouard Saroyan/Charlie Kohler
-
Nicole Berger
as Theresa
-
Marie Dubois
as Lena
-
Michele Mercier
as Clarisse
-
Albert Remy
as Chico Saroyan
-
Claude Mansard
as Momo
-
Bobby Lapointe
as Singer
-
Jean-Jacques Aslanian
as Richard Saroyan
-
Serge Davri
as Plyne
-
Alex Joffé
as Passerby
-
Richard Kanayan
as Fido Saroyan
-
Catherine Lutz
as Mammy
-
Alice Sapritch
as Concierge
-
Daniel Boulanger
as Ernest
-
Claude Heymann
as Lars Schmeel
- Boby Lapointe