This French caper film begins well after the caper. Max (Jean Gabin) is through with the typical world of gangsters. With one final heist under his belt (actually, it's in the trunk of his car) he's set to retire in style, avoiding the foolishness of being an old man living in a young hood's world. Yet, Max's strongest character trait, his loyalty, is also what loses him the gold. Stylish and slick, yet frank in its attitudes toward violence and sex, "Touchez pas au grisbi," or "Grisbi, don't touch the loot," is well worth watching, even if just for the mid-century interior decoration.
Max's offer to help the secretary at the club carry her breast was indeed a hoot-out-loud moment. The man hasn't lost his game, even if his greatest desire is to lead a more mellowed-out life. You don't have to be nearing retirement age to be torn over the choice between a life of luxury in peace and quiet and the life of a constant fuck-up who passes as your life-long friend. I don't much like to wonder what I'd do if put in Max's spot.
Va va voom factor: Pixieish Jeanne Moreau as the self-serving showgirl who puts the tragic flaw into play.
