Le gang

Saw this 5/10/15. Le Gang fails as a period piece since little shown in the film looks as if it belongs in the 1940's. The story, such as it is, relates the true exploits of a bunch of robbers who used front wheel drive vehicles in the getaway, hence the newspapers of the day came up with the label le gang traction avant. Otherwise predictable goings on, with Delon smirking his way through every shot. There are a few good action sequences, which require Delon to run and jump and withhold the smirk until after running and jumping. Story is told from the perspective of the Delon character's moll, but she provides little of interest herself and completely fails as a conduit for the storyline. One noticeable ingredient is the bouncy, "spirited" music credited to Carlo Rustichelli – unsurprising since it sounds an awful lot like Nino Rota's score for Juliet of the Spirits (1965). Next time Rustichelli should borrow music with a less obvious signature!

'The Gang' is a watchable, but ultimately forgettable crime film. Alain Delon has charisma to spare, as can be seen in his performances in movies like 'Le Samourai' and 'Girl on a Motorcycle', but charisma isn't enough to save this under-written movie. A bad perm doesn't help any either!

Delon plays Robert, the leader of a small group of criminals in 1940's France. They band together and robs banks and factories with some success. Enough success to make them nationally known as the "front-wheel drive gang". 'The Gang' is told from the viewpoint of Robert's wife Marinette (Nicole Calfari), and is much a love story as a caper movie. Pity the characters aren't more interesting, and the plot less predictable. For rabid Alain Delon fans only. Otherwise, don't bother.