Watch
Shoot the Piano Player

Shoot the Piano Player

1960
Romance, Drama
1h 32m
Charlie Kohler is a piano player in a bar. The waitress Lena is in love with him. One of Charlie's brothers, Chico, a crook, takes refuge in the bar because he is chased by two gangsters, Momo and Ernest (imdb)
Your probable score
?

Shoot the Piano Player

1960
Romance, Drama
1h 32m
Your probable score
Avg Percentile 65.13% from 1110 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(1110)
Compact view
Compact view
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
61st
A pretty cool take on the film noir genre. Nothing very special, but enjoyable enough. Here's an extra sentence to make this review a bit longer.
Rated 27 Nov 2013
85
89th
It's in the style of classic American noir but throws in a sense of humor and some zany hijinks with the two kidnappers. A lot of fun, impeccably shot, and reminds me that I need to seek out some more Truffaut.
Rated 13 Dec 2006
88
91st
A fine movie. Well-paced, good acting, inventive technique, interesting story.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
91st
"Tirez sur le pianiste" is simply perfect, has some very rememberable scenes, especially the one where charlie and lena are kidnapped by the two gangsters (in the car - that's so good). Of course not Truffaut's best film, but still a "must see".
Rated 26 Mar 2007
90
86th
One of Francois Truffaut's tributes to American crime movies. While a number of the genre tropes are clearly recognizable (large sums of money, man on the lam, kidnapping, etc.), this is even more recognizably one of Truffaut's: I always wonder how he can get away with so many gags and so many more serious moments in the same film without it ever being spazzy or jerky. Like so many things authentically poetic, I'm not sure I can explain how or why it is... it just *is*
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
43rd
Truffaut becomes way too indulgent and makes a film that he can use to mess around with typical film conventions. While that may be in the fashion of the French New Wave, it doesn't always mean the film will be accessible, as Shoot The Piano Player demonstrates/
Rated 30 Sep 2007
90
95th
The only thing I didn't like/understand was that woman getting shot at the end.
Rated 23 Oct 2007
89
87th
Something of an existential noir-drama from Truffaut, the titular piano player wrestles with his identity throughout. We see this not only in the contrast between his past and present (summed up in his two names), but also in actions--pursuing a sweet walk with a good girl flows into going to bed with the neighboring whore. Truffaut hints that Charlie's surroundings and his family might have something to do with where he ends up. The final shot of his face leaves us only with questions.
Rated 15 Apr 2009
4
74th
To follow a substantial and seriously-regarded debut with this, comparatively slight and completely self-gratifying. Utter indulgence. Truffaut is having a blast. The work of a starry-eyed romantic, not only for its love story, but in its reverence of American crime thrillers and Hitchcockian motifs, for its musical qualities (it's not a proper musical, but then again it's not proper anything), its abstract and digressive shapelessness, played in equal parts wistful and whimsy.
Rated 19 Sep 2011
100
98th
Without a doubt, my absolute favourite movie to come out of the nouvelle vague. A playful, rollicking (sort of)ganster film packed with digressions, shifts in tone and spur-of-the-moment experimentation. A melancholy, unabashedly romantic and weirdly fun tour of the obsessions of a master filmmaker.
Rated 24 Sep 2014
24
8th
Have they shot him yet?
Rated 31 Jan 2007
65
83rd
Truffaut seems to be going against conventions here: changing tempo, genres, mixing comedy with tragedy. It's not up with his best films as it feels too much of an experiment but it's still very enjoyable and feels fresh after all these years. Would make an interesting double bill with Coens' The Man Who Wasn't There.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
91st
Score based on distant memory.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
98th
Truffaut goes mad with possibility in his second feature. The camera work is breathtaking.
Rated 25 Oct 2007
9
93rd
(2nd viewing) The first time I saw this I really didn't like it but I was so wrong. This is one of the funnest, most playful movies ever made and the cinematography is beautiful. Doesn't even feel like Paris.
Rated 01 Mar 2008
87
79th
# 262
Rated 02 Mar 2008
85
73rd
Though it's certainly well-made, Shoot the Piano Player doesn't have that same sense of style and eloquence that Truffaut is typically known for. It borrows a lot from past genres, such as Noir and the old romance movies of the 40's, but it doesn't mimic them in a way that seems trite; it pays dues respectfully. This is a worthwhile endeavor for all fans of French cinema, but it's obvious that it could have been done better given the talent behind the project.
Rated 19 Dec 2008
88
76th
245
Rated 06 Feb 2009
70
74th
Those gangsters ruin the film in every scene. Lena is gorgeous but in an 80 minute film you can't spend 20 minutes of screen time on two characters who are as fleshed out as the average rock.
Rated 27 Feb 2009
8
85th
I didn't know Aznavour can act.
Rated 27 Apr 2009
85
84th
Aznavour... and your sad eyes. We have choices in our lives, but...
Rated 22 Aug 2009
90
75th
Great riff on film noir, with enough comedy peppered in to take off the edge. Thrilling camera and editing work.
Rated 10 Oct 2009
57
3rd
Vastly inferior to the novel it is based on ("Down There" by David Goodis). I disliked most of the changes made to the original story (i.e. the reflexions about women are really heavy-handed), thought the film failed to capture the peculiar spirit of the novel. Just my two cents.
Rated 28 Nov 2009
100
95th
Lots of atmosphere, character development, humor, and romance. A Truffaut masterpiece.
Rated 06 Dec 2009
5
80th
The usual Truffaut stuff with a noirish background. Not exactly my cup of tea, but there's enough enjoyment I can get out of this when Truffaut isn't try to fool us into thinking he's a poet.
Rated 24 Dec 2009
80
31st
A funny and entertaining piece of French new wave from the celebrated auteur Francois Truffaut. It felt a bit similar to 400 Blows. As I said, funny and entertaining, and not too long either.
Rated 13 Jan 2010
88
76th
241
Rated 23 Jan 2010
60
54th
watched: 2010, 2014
Rated 25 Apr 2010
82
22nd
It doesn't entirely cohere, but it's still an ambitious and smart movie.
Rated 14 May 2010
82
75th
Another great film by the founder of one of the best periods in cinematic history. The story is well layered and all of the characters are extensively explored. That being said, it just isn't quite as interesting or mind-blowing as other films of its period. I'm starting to wonder if anything from the French New Wave will ever impress me as much as "Breathless." It still reigns king. See this movie, though, if you have some respect for good film.
Rated 17 Jul 2010
75
83rd
Seems to me like Truffaut was just having an absolute blast here. The dialogue falls flat a lot of the time, but Truffaut's sense of style and his camera direction are really fucking superb. Really fascinating second film from the wee Frenchman.
Rated 31 Aug 2010
4
70th
French gangster movies are so goddamn enjoyable. Though this isn't as light in tone as, say, Band of Outsiders, it's still a breeze throughout, dotting its landscape of tough guys and innocent girls with moments of tragedy and sentimentality. I also love Truffaut's penchant for inserting small moments (completely irrelevant to plot) for no other purpose than to put a smile on our faces.
Rated 01 Oct 2010
89
76th
f. great
Rated 16 Oct 2010
60
54th
highly entartaining, but not as artistically fulfilling as "the 400 blows" or "the last metro"...
Rated 20 Nov 2010
85
77th
20 kasim 10 & truffaut bence mukemmel bir hikaye anlatici. turleri karistirarak, zamandan zamana atlayarak yaptigi bu film gercekten eglendirici. bunun da otesinde sinemaya duyulan saf askin ortaya cikisi gibi, kiymetli. bi 400blow degil ama tamamen farkli bir sey- bir kurgu, yonetmenlik harikasi. c.aznavour'un oyunculugu da oldukca iyi.
Rated 19 Apr 2011
86
87th
Great story, and I really like all the little things Truffaut put in this movie.
Rated 22 May 2011
72
76th
Seems to be a loose template or inspiration for Tarantino's films. Clever and probably inventive filmmaking for its time, but it feels a little flat when comparing it to QT's films. Still, not a bad film. (Edit: initially gave the film a 69.)
Rated 28 May 2011
80
61st
I think I need to watch this again for a better review and more accurate score.
Rated 24 Aug 2011
90
80th
Playful French New Wave, like all of my favorite French New Wave films are. Better than Breathless.
Rated 30 Nov 2011
89
78th
#219
Rated 09 Jan 2012
94
93rd
A terrific film, my favorite Truffaut.
Rated 12 Mar 2013
80
68th
Very charming stuff and surprisingly fun. There are some nice poignant moments too, particularly thanks to the bits of narration filling us in on the main characters thoughts. I do tend to think the breeziness undermines any emotional content, but I enjoyed it.
Rated 15 Jun 2013
70
32nd
Moody as hell, and boasting some great characters. Beautifully shot, as well.
Rated 28 Mar 2014
86
87th
86.000
Rated 10 Apr 2014
75
31st
I probably should have paid more attention, but this film left me completely befuddled until the halfway mark, where I could at least find some temporary clarity. I don't think I like Godard-esque Truffaut.
Rated 20 May 2014
65
43rd
Truffaut stretches out a bit after his debut and tries to work a few crime story elements into his interpersonal drama recipe, with mixed results. There's a neat little wide shot of a shootout, but otherwise I'd rather this have been a straight drama without frills. I don't think the main character's shy 'talking to himself' routine really pays off, either.
Rated 03 Dec 2014
4
52nd
a pianist struggles to separate himself from the fate of his genetics. there was a scene in a car where a bunch of men discussed their strange opinions regarding women that was amusing. loved the theme tune too. however, as with truffaut in general, i found this reasonably enjoyable but mostly insignificant. the flashback sequence in particular was quite boring. the transfer was of rather low quality, so perhaps that hampered things a bit.
Rated 03 Dec 2014
90
96th
It has some amazing b/w cinematography, it mixes well some different genres (noir, romance) while keeping the playfulness of the nouvelle vague and the late Aznavour is very charismatic in the lead.
Rated 06 Dec 2014
82
70th
O velho clichê: gosto muito mais do livro.
Rated 02 Jan 2015
50
0th
François Truffaut #1
Rated 01 Jan 2017
7
73rd
Interesting from lots of different perspectives and very stylish.
Rated 20 Feb 2017
85
74th
It's a unique film noir, one that is fantastically crafted as well - it's just that the pacing could use a bit of tightening at points (especially with the extended flashback), but other than that it is an engaging film.
Rated 15 Mar 2019
85
31st
84.50
Rated 28 Dec 2019
70
62nd
I'm starting to think that the folks at the Cahiers du Cinema have a very different understanding of cinema than I have; this largely is just filmed dialogue, the moving camera being the only difference to a theatre play. On the plus side, the pace is high and there's barely a dull moment.
Rated 10 Jul 2020
77
79th
Rewatched. Kind of like Breathless' moodier, more pensive older sibling. Both were released in 1960 to very different acclaim. Evidently, this was the film Truffaut did when he couldn't figure out what to do with Breathless. He handed his ideas off to newbie Godard and the rest is legend. Aznavour's great in the lead but he's not as brash as Belmondo or Delon or Leaud so he's easy to overlook. Still he may have been a bigger star than any of them in his day - news to me.
Rated 10 Apr 2021
68
32nd
Or "Truffaut does Godard" - this will appeal more dependent on your tolerance for the more pretentious aspects of the French New Wave. Attempts to spice up a formulaic plot with experimental, open-ended narrative storytelling is fun for a while (and it looks great in silky B&W widescreen), but intentionally confusing editing (and some murky borderline amateurish lighting techniques) makes this feel a lot longer than its 80 minute run time.
Rated 11 Feb 2022
75
80th
You might change your name, try to hide by working at some dirty bar, but you'll always be playing the piano. Burlesque, funny and ultimately tragic existential crime story about an artist unable to escape fate. Once he had a manager, a love. It all fell apart. Now some gangsters are after his bro, but end up tangling him up to find him. He just cannot avoid repeating himself, desperately trying to get out and not follow his brothers' life of crime. Music is the only thing that makes sense.
Rated 11 Jun 2022
90
87th
Very consciously breaking from "The 400 Blows", Truffaut adapts a David Goodis into this bleak crime flick with a very strong streak of self-referential humour. He sort of out-Godards Godard here minus the extreme stylish quirks.
Rated 16 Jun 2022
68
35th
A solid story and some sneakily funny moments, but I thought it was often underacted (or possibly misdirected. The characters were good, but I felt whenever there was a tense scene they were about 90% less concerned with it than they should have been. Taken hostage? Accidentally kill someone? Suffer indescribable heartbreak? All seem like minor inconveniences here. Still, it's well worth a watch given the short run time and tonally interesting.

Collections

(50)
Compact view
Showing 1 - 24 of 50 results

Similar Titles

Loading ...

Statistics

Loading ...