Pépé le Moko

Another amazing movie from Duviver, the dude sure knows how to film

So much to love here--the brisk pace, the atmosphere of the Casbah, Jean Gabin, and all those shadows. There is also an existential reflection on freedom and captivity, working on both a physical and a relational level. This theme resides mostly below the surface, but it helps to contextualize the ending.

Much has been made of this film's influence on everything from noir to neorealism, but what those typically dire forms failed to take is how utterly nonchalant this cops and robbers tale is. Within minutes Pepe and the gang gun down a gaggle of cops as if nothing ("it's good for the varicose veins"). How amusing, and how tremendously evocative of an exotic locale, the Casbah functioning at once as Pepe's cover and his cage, a labyrinth confounding the colonial forces of authority and tourism.

Excellent film, lots of fun to watch, and obviously influential. Jean Gabin is remarkable in it.

Charming noir (though I guess technically it's pre-noir), Gabin is excellent as the elegant yet conflicted Pepe.

As usual, Pauline Kael nailed it when she wrote, " "Superb entertainment [...} One of the most compelling of all the fatalistic French screen romances." And it has a special visual magic--the "Casbah" has so much atmosphere that, although you know the sets were constructed in a studio, you just don't care. Jean Gabin is marvelous, and there's a touching cameo by the great chanson singer Fréhel.

Impeccably made, perfectly paced, with a setting that feels like a character in its own right. Gabin is fantastic as the title character, a criminal mastermind hiding in the Casbah in Algiers. This feels noiry at times, and I got some vibes that made me think of Casablanca, though it's a very different movie than that of course. The narrative is well handled. This doesn't have very many flaws--just a great film.

Amazing cinematography and definitely an interesting watch, but the actual story didn't quite convince me.

One of those movies that expects you to respect the protagonist solely because every character constantly talks about how cool he is

Saw it in film class. Didn't really hook me. Maybe I should try it again.

Watched this right after Colonel Blimp, and it was surprising that even the crooks have a moral code of honor here. It's a pretty simple plot that creeps along to its predestined finale; the performances are fine but I would have liked to have seen more of the Casbah (and more "normal" people there) as it too is its own character. Easy to see its influence on future noir and gangster movies.

98.00

Acting and directing are good, and the cinematography is really enjoyable. If you're looking for a crime gangster flick, this might not fit the bill, because not much crime or gangstering happens. I liked the portrayal. The romance is off-putting, though, since behind his charm Pepe is just a womanizing creep (it's really hard not to stereotype the French of the era here, because this is typical), but as symbolism his relationships are effective.

Pepe le Moko is famous for being one the earliest noirs, and while it did introduce some of the aesthetics and thematic elements that would be predominant during the following decade, It's not the masterpiece that some claim it to be. As expected for the era, it has overly slow pacing and plagued by casual racism and misogyny, but it does have some great camerawork and it effectively utilizes it's setting for narrative and aesthetic purposes better than most other films do (even to this day).

one of the most influential early french films, this poetic realist gangster film was apparently a precursor of noir, italian neorealism, and ultimately la nouvelle vague. some good scenes, especially the last 15 minutes or so, but unfortunately it's just not very interesting.

Jean Gabin as Pépé le Moko - a wanted gangster hiding out on the bad side of town. Has a pinch action, but in typical French sense, it's the human charms and the women where the drama really happens. And Gabin's weakness becomes the expressive Mireille Balin. I had hoped for more excitement, for it's a very mellow gangster movie and the tone is gentleman friendly among gutter creatures. But it's also just that which makes it a almost cool variation of the 'crook in hiding' story.

Captivating story and decent characters.

#587

Great all-around. Gabin is a badass of a poetic sort.

I love the gang Gabin has together here, wish we could have seen more of them (particularly the mentally deranged one with a smiling habit & man constantly playing cup-and-ball). Not the best I've seen of this stuff, not the worst. Unexpectedly breezy.

Great photography, great casbah settings and another great Jean Gabin performance highlight this classic.

Good movie, but not the masterpiece it's sometimes credited as. The exotic setting and delicately atmospheric design and photography carry this a long way as an early or proto- film noir. The plot, however, is basically similar to that of 30's American gangster movies except with less action and more dialogue. The conversations are uneven, sometimes interesting and often rather boring. There are a few great scenes.

579

Exquisitely photographed and directed.

Most intriguing.

517

Visually stunning and obviously important for cinematic history. It's also been remade and ripoffed a hundred times. Pepe is a really memorable character with snappy, witty lines but he did spawn one of the worst cartoon characters ever - Pepe le Pew.

As usual Gabin exudes charm with just a tinge of melancholy, but the film around him is merely good. The events and characters are enjoyable enough to watch but the film never really packs a punch until the end, which feels rather forced. I was also disappointed by how many shots were badly focused, which was quite distracting.

Pepe is a most memorable character--and lots of great snappy lines.

# 544

Very fun and romantic, in both senses of the word; the Algiers depicted here is one of the most memorable settings for any movie that I can remember, and Gabin is extremely likable as the Parisian gangster. He's boyish, charming, tough, and a hopeless romantic all at once. It's a lot of fun.