The French Connection: 1971

If I learned anything about being a narcotics detective in New York City in the early 1970s from The French Connection it's that the job involves a lot of standing in the cold and walking around. Of the 104 minutes, I think at least 40 minutes consisted of the two detectives tracking their suspects, and while that made for some interesting shots, it didn't make for a very entertaining story. The plot itself was promising: two narcotics detectives working on busting a drug ring with connections in France. But maybe being based on a true story hurt the film instead of helping it since real detective work is probably not as exciting as Hollywood typically portrays it.

Doyle and Russo, the detectives, spend a lot of time following suspects on foot and by car, allowing for interesting cuts and longer shots that highlighted the grime of the city. One scene where Doyle is tracking a sniper involves lots of smashed up cars, so of the tracking scenes, it was perhaps the most exciting:

The director cuts between the suspect on the subway and Doyle in the car, building tension as the train speeds up and passes stations without stopping. Of all the scenes I found this one the most exciting because I couldn't tell how it was going to end. It seems ridiculous to think the suspect will get away, but at times, it almost seems possible.

There were a few close up shots that I still don't understand in this film, and one in particular is the straw hat in the back window of the detectives' car. Russo (I think) throws the hat in the back window, and the camera lingers on it. Later, during a stake out, there's another close up of this hat, but I'm not sure what it's showing. Is it to show how little things have changed in the case? Or is it to suggest that these two men are not good at their job, allowing something so distinctive to be in the window that might help suspects identify their car? Surely there's a reason...I just can't figure it out.