Touchez Pas Au Grisbi is a stunning gangster tale where the old ways are to face off with the new. This was to be Max's final job before retirement, however, the newcomers in the criminal underworld seem to want change his destiny. Recently Max carried out a job that brought him and his partner Riton 50 million worth in Orly gold bars. Younger generations are cutting into the growing drug business without the consideration of others, and these young newcomers show little class while they trample on everyone in their sight. The professional life, which Max has chosen for himself is also undergoing a transformation. Max even discloses this to his friend Riton (René Dary) while having found out that Riton's young girlfriend has found a younger lover, as she has previously given Riton empty promises of love. The life he once desired is no longer as appealing, as he decides that he wants to return home early. The many visits to the night clubs have led Max to discover that he has grown old, and many of the people around him are older. The story takes place in Paris where Max lives life with a women half his age while spending untold numbers of nights desiring the same meaningless affection from the women seeking their way into men's wallets. Nostalgia swallows Jacques Becker's crime story about the aging criminal and gentleman Max (Jean Gabin). Touchez Pas Au Grisbi, which was shot over a half century ago, depicts the coming of this new criminal element. This could be seen up close in a grotesque manner in the brilliant Maria Full of Grace (2004) where humans are being regarded as pack mules. These films visualize the frightening power money has on people. Films such as Scarface (1983), New Jack City (1991), or any of Takashi Miike's violent gangster illustrations depict the new style of gangsters that contemporary society is facing where disloyal and ill-mannered thugs roll in the direction of dough. The days of gentlemen criminals are long gone. When people see a true gentleman they only see the exterior, and it is this exterior that money buys. These qualities are what define a gentleman. Refinement, sophistication, and class are qualities that should be attached with characteristics such as trust, confidence, and mutual respect. However, this vain perception of class has nothing to do with one's self conduct. In our contemporary society this confusion is frequently expressed through flamboyance, which is usually the result of how money talks. Three other titles by Jacques Becker will be launched on the same date: Casque d’Or (1952), Le Trou (1960) and – for the first time in the UK – Edward and Caroline (1951).Class is often confused with style and fashion in the regards to how one dresses. Touchez pas au Grisbi will be released on DVD, Blu-ray and EST in the UK on Monday, August 14th. The movie opens up with a very unusual version of Franx Schubert’s Ave Maria sung in French, and it’s also dotted with bits of chanson from yesteryear. It is supported by a very piercing and and powerful sound score, which will probably remind you of the later James Bond movies. It will inject just the right amount of adrenaline into your heart and nervous system in order to keep you going for 91 minutes. Ultimately, Touchez pas au Grisbi is an elegant, finely acted and riveting gangster movie, with a crisp black and white photography. A 25-year-old Jeanne Moreau epitomises just the opposite: the lure and the volatility of youth. This is movie about honour, ageing and loyalty, and a test of how far one is willing to go in the name of their personal allegiances. He personifies the “scrupulous” gangster struggling to reconcile his values with the requirements of his not-so-noble job. Gabin, with saggy wrinkles at all, still looks very charming and attractive. He kidnaps Riton and demands the gold as ransom, spoiling Max’s plans for a peaceful retirement. All goes well until Max’s deceitful ex-girlfriend Josy (Jeanne Moreau) tips off a rival gangster, Angelo (Lino Ventura). This star-studded and neglected dirty gem follows the ageing gangster Max (Jean Gabin) and his partner-in-crime Riton (René Dary both men are pictured above) as they pull off their final heist, a perfectly executed gold bullion robbery at Orly airport, near Paris. Preferably with a vast sum of money, so that they don’t ever have to worry about getting their hands dirty again. They too want to stop working and enjoy the perks after a life of hard toiling. Most of us dream of comfortable and peaceful retirement.
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