The French Connection: Gritty Realism in the Police Procedural Genre

crime, thriller

1:44

1971

Review by Brandon Talks Movies on May 02, 2017

All right, Popeye’s here! Get your hands on your heads, get off the bar, and get on the wall!

The gritty police movie is familiar now, but when The French Connection came out in 1971, this was a pretty novel concept. Directed by William Friedkin (The Exorcist, Rules of Engagement) and starring Roy Scheider and a young Gene Hackman, this is a police movie more real than most even today. It’s based on real-life events and characters. Scheider and Hackman went on patrol with the real-life policemen who inspired the movie, learning the ins and outs of the real work they did. The NYPD was also involved in the movie, making script edits, and even working with the film crew to help capture a car chase without getting the proper permits from the city. This is not the typical Hollywood police good-guys-versus-evil-criminals, where good ultimately triumphs in the end. Truth be told, I was a little shocked with the ending, although it fit the movie perfectly. All in all, this is a well-written police thriller with plenty of realism and bite.

The plot follows two police officers, Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle and Buddy Russo, as they try to bust drug dealers and suppliers in New York City. As we quickly find out, the system is not perfect, and neither are these officers. They do their jobs the best they can, and sometimes you’re cheering for them, and sometimes you’re not. The villains are more businessman than bad guy, and aren’t presented as evil characters. The plot has been criticized for being light, but it’s just subtle: there’s a lot there, but if you’re watching passively or not paying attention, this movie will leave you behind.

All right! You put a shiv in my partner. You know what that means? Goddammit! All winter long I got to listen to him gripe about his bowling scores. Now I’m gonna bust your ass for those three bags and I’m gonna nail you for picking your feet in Poughkeepsie.

The raw realism of the movie is apparent, even though the film has plenty of vintage cool in the wardrobe, language, and soundtrack. You’ll see police officers use some brilliant investigation techniques, then turn around and be really racist for a scene. You’ll see officers laugh over surveillance footage while eating cheeseburgers, rather than the overdramatic stakeouts in your typical Hollywood fare. This movie also has the most realistic car chase I think I’ve ever seen—due in part to the fact that some of the drivers involved did not know there was a car chase going on, and at least one unassuming bystander’s car was wrecked in the filming. (The producer paid for the repairs.)

I’ll admit, it was the vintage charm that initially drew me into the movie, but midway through, I was glued to the screen as tensions rose and I had no idea how everything was going to resolve. This is a thrilling movie, and it pulls it off without using cheap tricks or sloppy writing. Modern thrillers could learn a lot from The French Connection. The plot is unpredictable, even while feeling very natural, and the real-life inspiration for the movie shines through beautifully.

Should I Watch The French Connection?

The French Connection is a police thriller, and as such, may not appeal to everyone, but it’s smart, well-written, and surprising, which are traits not always found in other movies from this genre. This movie raises the bar, and even now, almost 50 years later, few movies live up to the level of realism portrayed here. It’s a fun watch with plenty of depth, so most will probably find something to like here.

Movies Like The French Connection

Serpico (1973) - Released just two years after The French Connection, and also based on real events in the NYPD, this story of one straight cop dealing with corruption in the police force is complex, messy, and morally gray, giving it a realistic edge that most police films can’t match. If you’re looking for another police film with a heavy dose of reality, Serpico is a great watch.
Dog Day Afternoon (1975) - This story of a bank robbery that goes wrong and turns into a media circus is also based on a true story. Many of the scenes between Sonny and the police officers were improvised, and the characters reacted genuinely to surprising or tense arguments. The plot events are fantastical in nature—perhaps unbelievable, were it not for the fact that they’re all true. There’s a lot of humor in this one, but its realism make it a good match for The French Connection.
Mean Streets (1973) - This look at small-time criminals in New York City has the same gritty realism and scattered narrative, although it’s completely fictional. Events and dialogue seem random, although there’s a solid plot that emerges. The characters are complex, and Scorsese wasn’t afraid to make the ending a little messy.

Academy Awards

Winner: Best Picture (Philip D’Antoni), Best Actor in a Leading Role (Gene Hackman), Best Director (William Friedkin), Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (Ernest Tidyman), Best Film Editing (Gerald B. Greenberg)

Nominations: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Roy Scheider), Best Cinematography (Owen Roizman), Best Sound (Theodore Soderberg, Christopher Newman)

Runtime: 1:44
Director: William Friedkin
Year: 1971
Genres: crime, thriller
Rating: R

About Brandon

My name is Brandon, and I love movies. Not bad ones, though—just the good ones. I’m curating and reviewing a list of classic, essential-viewing, or just plain good movies from all decades, and I've been reviewing them since 2016. I also co-host Peculiar Picture Show, a podcast about movies and mental health and write about Dungeons & Dragons options, builds, and optimization.

The French Connection: Gritty Realism in the Police Procedural Genre

Should I Watch The French Connection?

Movies Like The French Connection

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