Touchez Pas au Grisbi

Aroview: Laid-back though influential French noir chronicling a wealthy, retired racketeer (Gabin) who is pulled back into the life of crime when his friend gets kidnapped and held for a huge ransom.

Dir. Becker steers away from the puffed-up bravado of many of the genre's American counterparts through measured storytelling and a reluctant lead character, perfectly pitched by a world-weary Gabin.