by Ted Davis

Also Known As: Speaking of Murder

Directed by: Gilles Grangier

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: The well-oiled criminal enterprise managed by bourgeois gangster Louis Bertain (Jean Gabin) falters when two of his gang members, brutish kill-crazy thug Pepito (Lino Ventura) and perpetually petrified Fredo (Paul Frankfurt), run off the rails. Compounding Louis’ problems is his brother Pierre (Marcel Bozzuffi) who contributes to the decline with his ill-considered infatuation with sexy manipulative manicurist Helene (Annie Girardot).

Purr Blurs: After finishing breakfast with son Louis, Ma Bertain (Gina Niclos) leaves the apartment to work her fruit stand, grabbing her shawl from the back of a chair where her immobile tuxedo cat relaxes. The kitty is obviously indifferent to her departure and doesn’t move a hair (it’s so motionless there’s a chance it may not even be real!)

Later, at the rural roadhouse where Louis picks up his gang before their last fateful robbery, another tuxedo cat strolls nonchalantly toward the entrance.

Final Mewsings: Zut, alors! French felines are so very blasé!

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