Bob le Flambeur (1955) - Rotten Tomatoes

Bob le Flambeur1955

Bob le Flambeur (1955)

TOMATOMETER

97%
86%

AUDIENCE SCORE

90%

Critic Consensus: Majorly stylish, Bob le Flambeur is a cool homage to American gangster films and the presage to French New Wave mode of seeing.

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Movie Info

Both a tribute to classic American gangster films and the source of inspiration for French New Wave filmmakers, Bob le Flambeur is the first in a series of stylish noirs that Jean-Pierre Melville started in the mid-'50s. Co-scripted by the popular crime writer Auguste Le Breton (Rififi), this is a story of ex-bank robber and compulsive gambler Bob (Roger Duchesne), who plans a heist at the Deauville casino. As in many films of that genre, he assembles a team of old friends and new acquaintances to do the job and is determined to perform it despite all the odds that continue to pile up before him. The overall tone is admirably lighthearted, however, and despite many stylistic and thematic references to American caper movies, the whole enterprise remains genuinely French. "This is a kind of film that we want to make!" exclaimed the young and rebellious François Truffaut back in 1955. Jean-Luc Godard, in his turn, acknowledged Melville's influence, giving him an extended cameo in Breathless. ~ Yuri German, Rovi

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Cast

Isabelle Corey
as Anne
Daniel Cauchy
as Paolo
Roger Duchesne
as Bob Montagne
Andre Garet
as Roger
Gerard Buhr
as Marc
Howard Vernon
as McKimmie
Guy Decomble
as Inspector
Claude Cerval
as Jean
Rene Havard
Simone Paris
as Yvonne
Colette Fleury
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Critic Reviews for Bob le Flambeur

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (7)

This light, breezy 1955 heist film is probably the least characteristic movie Jean-Pierre Melville ever made.

August 1, 2007 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Lagging direction, so-so thesping and usual femme and lowdown aspects of this type production make this an ordinary entry.

August 1, 2007 | Full Review…
Top Critic

A wonderful movie with all the formal beauty, finesse and treacherous allure of green baize.

June 24, 2006 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Its realism is not the reality of life, but of the kind of movies that give shape to the disordered lives of the people who watch movies.

February 1, 2005 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Bob le Flambeur (1955) has a good claim to be the first film of the French New Wave.

July 8, 2003 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
Top Critic

One of the most curious yet pleasing of all the great French film noirs.

February 7, 2002
Top Critic
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Audience Reviews for Bob le Flambeur

The ending is pure comedy - adore!

Stefanie C
Stefanie C

Super Reviewer

another genius film directed by melville. the cast, camera work, and script were near perfect and the story was inventive and compelling. i was ready to give this a perfect score and declare it one of my favorite films of all time until an unfortunate final 5 minutes of the film that completely spit in the face of logic and common sense, but when an entire film is near flawless and the climax doesnt work out well the film still deserves respect. despite the empty ending this is a wonderful and excellent film.

danny d
danny d

Super Reviewer

another great heist film from jean pierre melville, once again showing his love for american noir and gangster movies. the title character is a kind, aging thief and degenerate gambler who plans one last elaborate job, the robbery of the deauville casino. of course everything doesn't go off as planned. an important precursor of french new wave and a very obvious influence on ocean's eleven. remade by neil jordan as the good thief, 2003

Stella Dallas
Stella Dallas

Super Reviewer

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