The French Connection (1971), directed by William Friedkin, is a police thriller inspired by real events documented in Robin Moore’s investigative book. Jimmy "Popeye" Doyle and Buddy Russo are two New York narcotics agents known for their unorthodox methods and frowned upon by their superiors. When they receive a sudden tip about an international heroin trafficking operation coming from France, they see the perfect chance to redeem their reputation. Driven by an obsession with the case, the two partners launch a relentless pursuit of the mysterious French criminal Charnier. Through a series of chases, wiretaps, and shootouts, the film explores the boundaries of police ethics and the thin line between justice and obsession, culminating in a bitter and deliberately unresolved ending. Friedkin’s direction is raw and realistic, with a near-documentary style that aims to authentically portray the gritty, morally ambiguous urban landscape of New York. A hallmark of the director is the tight, fast-paced rhythm of the action scenes, which build tension and suspense through dynamic and expertly crafted editing. The most iconic and masterful sequence is the one where the protagonist, driving a car, chases the antagonist escaping on a subway train—an adrenaline-fueled moment of pure chaos. The character of Doyle dominates the screen: tough, impulsive, and morally complex. Gene Hackman brings to life a memorable antihero, deeply human in his flaws, earning his first Academy Award for Best Actor in 1972.
After a stint in the Marines and an initial experience as a radio journalist, Hackman made his film debut at the age of 34 with Lilith (1964), alongside Warren Beatty, with whom he would return in Gangster Story (1967), a role that earned him his first Oscar nomination. His breakthrough came in 1972 with the Oscar and Golden Globe for William Friedkin's The French Connection (1971). He received a second Oscar twenty years later for Clint Eastwood's Unforgiven (1992). In 1989, he also won the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for Mississippi Burning. Iconic Lex Luthor in Richard Donner's Superman (1978) and subsequent installments, Hackman alternates dramatic interpretations with brilliant roles: in 2002 he received a Golden Globe for his memorable performance in Wes Anderson's “The Royal Tenenbaums” (2001).
