Le Samouraï

IL N'Y A PAS DE PLUS PROFONDE 

SOLITUDE QUE 

CELLE DE SAMOURAI SI

CE N'EST CELLE D'UN

TIGRE DANS LA JUNGLE....

PEUT-ETRE....

                                            LE BUSHIDO 

                                                         (LE LIVRE DES SAMOURAI)

         This film displays the precision and perfection of an assassin named Jef Costello.  It opens it's curtains to an original proverb and a bird chirping in a lifeless apartment with a lonesome, stoic Costello smoking. The hatted and trenched Costello paces his way through every situation unfazed as though he has overcome the fear of death. There are two women, Jane Lagrange and Valerie. These women protect Costello through what seems to be a pointless commitment, to answer their own questions of curiosity and romance.  The imagery is cold, the police relentless, and the piano driven jazz charming.  Castello displays an apathetic demeanor that spirals to a fate of guile.  Le Samouraï proves sparse amounts of dialogue can whisper volumes when non-verbal cues take over.  This is a film for every gentlemans' repertoire and will lead to a personal self evaluation.  One should appreciate Le Samouraï for it's austere and old fashioned nature reminiscent of a young Burgundy. 

Un film Français de Jean-Pierre Melville. 1967

Half the Toro

     A gentleman must know his cigars for the right reasons. No one wants to hear some highbrow wax poetically for 10 minutes in a social gathering about wrappers, fillers and binders. However, that being the said, one should be aware of the smoke rings he blowith while sipping on a mezcal old-fashioned.

     The question is posed. What is it about a cigar accompanying this beautiful woman ? Does one really want to know, or make up an answer for their personal amusement ? If you did want an answer, you will be denied that satisfaction. An afternoon on the beach was not going to turn into 10 Questions with Charles Lappel on the topic of 'Women Smoking Cigars.' The only thing that came to mind when she pulled the Toro out of her tin cigar holder was to make sure my matches were handy. 

Coming soon...