Bob le Flambeur, also known as Bob the Gambler, is a French crime film released in 1956. Directed by Jean-Pierre Melville, the movie is considered a classic of French cinema and a seminal work of the French New Wave.
The film follows Bob Montagne, a seasoned gambler who lives in Montmartre, Paris. Bob is a suave and sophisticated figure who is well-respected in the local gambling scene. He is also something of a father figure to a young woman named Anne, whom he rescued from a life of prostitution.
Despite his reputation as a successful gambler, Bob is facing a serious financial crisis. He has lost all his money at the casino and has to rely on his friend, Paolo, to lend him enough to place a big bet on a horse race. Bob's plan is to make enough money to retire from gambling and live a comfortable life with Anne.
In the meantime, Bob meets a beautiful young woman named Isabelle, who works at the Deauville casino. She tells him about a plan to rob the casino during Grand Prix weekend, when the vaults are full of money. Isabelle introduces Bob to a group of criminals who are willing to carry out the heist, and Bob agrees to lead the operation.
However, things start to go wrong from the very beginning. One of the accomplices is a drunk and unreliable gambler; another is a young man who has never committed a crime before. Bob's long-time friend, Marc, who is a police inspector, discovers the plan and warns Bob that the police are watching him.
Despite the mounting odds against him, Bob decides to go ahead with the heist. The group manages to break into the casino and steal the money, but they are soon caught by the police. Bob tries to escape, but is eventually arrested and taken to jail.
Bob le Flambeur is a stylish and atmospheric film that captures the spirit of 1950s Paris. It is a story about friendship, loyalty, and the hard realities of life. The film is notable for its use of black and white cinematography, which adds to its nostalgic and romantic feel. It is regarded as a seminal work of the French New Wave and has influenced many subsequent films in the crime genre.
