“Shoot the Piano Player” (1960) directed by François Truffaut / Z-View

Shoot the Piano Player (1960)

Director:  François Truffaut

Screenplay: François Truffaut, Marcel Moussy; based on DOWN THERE (aka SHOOT THE PIANO PLAYER) by David Goodis

Stars: Charles Aznavour, Marie Dubois, Nicole Berger, Michèle Mercier and Albert Rémy.

Tagline: A Film for Adults

The Plot…

Charlie Koller is a piano player in a small jazz club.  Charlie  comes in each night, plays the piano and keeps to himself.  He’s a low key guy.  Léna, a waitress at the club, is starting to fall in love with Charlie.  Although Léna knows a bit about Charlie’s past, she keeps it secret.

One night when Charlie is playing, a man comes rushing in the club. The man is Charlie’s estranged brother.  He’s on the run from two thugs who aren’t far behind.  Although Charlie wants no part of his brother’s problem, he can’t stand by and do nothing.  The choice to get involved will bring forth the past Charlie has kept hidden and result in several murders.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Although based on David Goodis’ excellent novel, DOWN THERE, the screenplay makes significant changes to the protagonist making him more confident and stronger.

Due to budget restraints, Truffaut often filmed on the streets of Paris where they could, improvising dialogue as they went along.

While I’m a fan of Shoot the Piano Player, I like the novel even better!

Shoot the Piano Player (1960) rates 4 of 5 stars