Quartile rating: 7.5/10 · 1 rating
A self-assured businessman murders his employer, husband of his mistress, which unintentionally provokes an ill-fated chain of events.
Louis Malle's debut is best remembered for its atmosphere and Miles Davis's legendary improvised score, which elevates the cinematography and mood to exceptional levels. Henri Decaë's black-and-white photography of nocturnal Paris is strikingly beautiful and among the finest of the French noir tradition. The plot is cleverly constructed with its chain-of-coincidence structure, though it occasionally strains credulity. Acting is solid but not revelatory — Jeanne Moreau's wordless nocturnal wandering is iconic, yet the ensemble overall is competent rather than outstanding. Novelty is above average — the film has a distinctive voice and stands as a key precursor to the French New Wave, but it still operates within recognizable noir conventions. The ending is satisfying and appropriately fatalistic without being especially surprising.