Shoot The Pianist

It doesn’t get any more French New Wave than this. François Truffaut’s second feature (following the breakout success of The 400 Blows) is a quick, loose and often goofy adaptation of David Goodis’ crime novel. As ivory-tinkling anti-hero Charlie (Charles Aznavour) gets trapped up in a madcap game of mobster cat-and-mouse, we’re battered with interior monologues, shoot-outs, extended musical interludes and philosophical musings.

While Raoul Coutard’s picture making is tremendous, it’s all a bit of a hot mess, switching genres on impulse and stretching credibility to snapping point. Still, when the humour hits, it hits hard.