That, ladies and gentlemen, is MOVIE MAGIC!
Netflix has a nice array of core titles minus his generally accepted top two, Le Samourai &
Bob Le Flambeur
Launching pad for his later explorations of the gangster milieu. Interestingly, it's visually the 'warmest' of the lot in spite of being shot in black and white. More traditional than his later films, but with enough of the ice in its veins to maintain interest.
Le Cercle Rouge
The caper film as modernist art exhibit. Exudes the same monochromatic coolness as Le Samourai and executes its plot with the same precision and passionate indifference. The sole misstep is Alain Delon's lamentable mustache.
Army of Shadows
A semi-autobiographical examination of the French Resistance. This personal connection to the material erodes the kind of glacial distance achieved in his 'gangster' films and creates space for some uncharacteristically heart wrenching scenes. Embarrassingly, unreleased in the US until a few years ago.
* Mike pointed out on Facebook that Breathless was, of course, directed by Goddard.
I blame Richard Gere for the confusion.
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