Serie Noire (1979) - Alain Corneau

​A dark crime drama framework inoculated by absurdest, pitch-black comedy. A love story but not a love story - Pretty singular in its derangements that aim for humor as much as thematic introspection. A time of decline and doubt that is captured in a lot of French cinema of this era, I found myself reminded of Bertrand Blier's Buffet Froid & Going Places, the latter for me significantly better than the former. I think Serie Noire is one of the more hilarious deployments I've seen, aiming to evoke the collective anxiety and milieu of this era in which many felt left behind. Fending for themselves amongst the cultural imperialism brought by America's preferred economic system, Serie Noire captures this through the lens of a complete buffoon. Projects a deteriorating morality in which violence and division are incubated. Patrick Dewaere provides such a beautifully combustible, unhinged performance, and the juxtaposition between him and the quiet, stagnant performance by Marie Trintignant is something to behold. There is probably something to be said here about the male ethos towards the need for control and inherent fragility given this juxtaposition and how the film transpires as well. Uncomfortable in moments, abrasive, and hilarious - I couldn't look away thanks in large part to Patrick Dewaere's all-timer performance.