And the Best Picture goes to....

“The French Connection,” directed by William Friedkin, is a gritty and intense portrayal of two New York City narcotics officers, Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle and Buddy “Cloudy” Russo, as they work to take down a heroin ring based out of Marseilles. The film serves as a captivating time capsule of the urban decay and gritty atmosphere of New York City during that period, with abandoned buildings and seedy neighborhoods creating a compelling backdrop for the story.

Gene Hackman delivers a powerful performance as the relentless and determined Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle, while Roy Scheider’s portrayal of Buddy “Cloudy” Russo is the Yin to Doyle’s Yang.  These two work very well together, and their characters’ unwavering commitment to their common goal is captivating to watch.

The film’s plot revolves around the pursuit of Fernando Rey’s character, the debonair antagonist referred to as Froggy One. Rey’s bad guy adds an intriguing layer to the film, and his cat-and-mouse game with Doyle becomes a central focus, creating the primary tension in the story.  A particular shot that I found memorable was as he waves goodbye rather victoriously to Doyle as his train pulls out of Grand Central Station, in a sign that he has outsmarted his adversary.   He becomes Doyle’s obsession as these two characters play a reckless game that doesn’t truly end even with the conclusion of this film, but apparently overlaps into the sequel.

One of the film’s most notable sequences is the riveting car chase, which stands out as a heart-pounding moment in film. Your heart can’t help but race when watching the subway train-tailing scene, filmed illegally and without a soundtrack, which heightens the impact of the film.  Friedkin shot this scene himself with only Gene Hackman and stunt driver William Hickman.

Overall, “The French Connection” immerses viewers in a relentless pursuit of justice by two characters that are just as stark and as raw as the city around them.