Elevator to the Gallows- First Impression

After watching the “Elevator to the Gallows” for the first time, all I can say is that I’m very impressed by this movie and is probably the movie that I have enjoyed watching the most so far during this winter semester. I would have to say the reason for this is because this movie is similar to movies that I watch in my spare time. To me this movie seemed like an older version of a James Bond. I have never seen another French crime film from the 1950’s, but I like what Roger Ebert says about this movie, “These 1950s French noirs abandon the formality of traditional crime films, the almost ritualistic obedience to formula, and show crazy stuff happening to people who seem to be making up their lives as they go along.”

I think the age of Louis Malle and the fact that this was his first film are very important. Since we has so young he could have played it safe and done what other directors have done and wanted until he become older to do a different style. I really like Mile Davis’ improved jazz throughout the movie, I think it gave it a nice touch. The one odd thing I found while watching the movie was when Julian kills Simon in the beginning of the movie. That wasn’t the weird part, the weird part was the black cat outside walking on the railing outside the room. My first question was how did the cat get there or did the director put the cat there to symbolize that Julian’s luck has run out?