A slow, moody, 1970 film. The pacing reminds me of Day of the Jackle. Slow and methodical, things are introduced that are never followed up on. I guess that makes it feel lived in? Real life? Anyway, one thing I like about Melville is that he doesn't waste words. It took a while to get used to Alain Delon with a mustache. Le Cercle Rouge is a solid entry in the French crime cannon.

How can a movie I've watched for 30 years, every year, multiple times some years, how can a movie like that still cause me to tear up at the end? I know what happens, I've seen it before. That, my friends, is quality film making.

Hot dog, what an awesome movie! This is maybe my sixth time watching. The first time I watched Key Largo I thought it was OK, but not great. Not sure what headspace I was in then, because the acting in this is top notch. The underrated Claire Trevor is a standout (she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work here), but everyone, Bogart, Robinson, Barrymore, and Thomas Gomez are all in top form. Probably the best that Bacall has ever been. Huston has some nicely framed shots and sets things up well. Highly recommended and if you don't love it, watch it again.