Coup de feu à l'aube: A dusty old crime flick

Is it worth your time?

If you're a fan of vintage European noir or just like watching early talkies where everyone is acting like they’re in a play, you’ll probably find something to like here. If you need fast pacing or modern camera work, you’re gonna hate it. It moves at the speed of a rusty tractor.

Honestly, watching Coup de feu à l'aube feels a bit like digging through a dusty trunk in your attic. You find things that are cool, like the way the shadows hit the furniture, but you also find a lot of moth-eaten plot lines.

The vibe

The whole setup with the Trembleur band is classic cat-and-mouse stuff. It reminds me a bit of the tension in The Criminal, though it lacks that movie's sharp edge. The undercover cop angle is done well enough, even if the stakes feel oddly low for a gang of jewel thieves.

There is this one scene in the suburban villa that lasts an eternity. I think I counted three times where someone could have just walked out the door and ended the movie, but they didn't. They just stood there, looking intense. It’s funny in a way that I don’t think was intentional.

Random thoughts

• The dialogue is stiff, but Antonin Artaud shows up and honestly, he’s the only person who looks like he’s actually in a real movie.
• The lighting in the villa is surprisingly moody for a film this old.
• The way they handle the rival gang members is a bit messy. It’s like the writers forgot who was on which side halfway through.
• There’s a weird amount of staring. Just people staring at each other for ten seconds straight before saying a single word.

It’s not quite on the level of some of the better crime dramas I’ve seen, like The Shadow on the Wall, but it’s got enough character to keep you watching. It's very much a product of its era. 📽️

Don’t go in expecting a masterpiece. Just go in expecting a rainy afternoon watch with a black coffee. It does the job, even if it doesn't leave a huge mark.