"Lone Killer" is Melville's classic work combining film noir with the spirit of Japanese Bushido. From its real name "Le Samourai", we can see the important position of "Bushido" in the film. Shef is a killer with the spirit of "Bushido", in other words, he has the traditional European chivalry spirit, and regards "benevolence" and "honor" as the foundation of his life. Because of "benevolence and righteousness", he is grateful for the grace of the female pianist and tolerant; because of "honor", he has to fulfill the task of the employer even with an empty gun. He is not a bloodthirsty killing machine, but a tragic figure burdened by principles. Just like John Woo's "Blood Two Heroes", when the morality of the world gradually collapses, in front of the obsessive killer, it can only be a fateful end of the road.
The purity of "Lone Killer" is that it strips out all irrelevant details, just as it filters out the extra color when it is filmed. It is difficult to imagine that there are almost no action scenes in a police and gangster film, and you can't see the police's scrutiny and analysis of criminals. , Melville put all the pen and ink on the shaping of the killer. For the image of "Shaf", the director made a panoramic description, including daily life when alone, careful deployment before killing, vigorous and resolute when killing, fleeing safely after killing, calm when being interrogated, and being arrested. Clever escapes when tracking, and even subtle psychological changes. It is rare to see such a high proportion and all-round ecological shaping. Therefore, even if the storyline is a little thin and dull, the unique style and form have created the charm of "Lone Killer".
When we see the Leon wearing round-framed sunglasses and holding an evergreen plant in "This Killer Is Not Too Cold", or the unknown driver in "Desperate Driving" with a toothpick and a scorpion jacket, Neither should forget their "senior" -- this handsome killer in a top hat and a trench coat, silent and with a bird. These people cannot be judged on the basis of good and evil. Perhaps their actions violated the law, but they have the style of being a chivalrous person in their hearts. Thief Zhi said, "Why is there no righteousness, but there is no Tao? I want to think that the treasure in the room is holy. Entering the first is brave. After leaving, it is righteous. Knowing whether it is good or not is wisdom. Equal distribution is benevolence. The five are unprepared. There is no one in the world who can become a great thief." If the "thief also has a way" in the mouth of the robber is applied to these killers, even if they kill countless people, they are still admired by people, not just like a fool.
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