The Seventh Target

Within its genre (namely crime thriller) and the film era of the 80s, The Seventh Target is undeniably an above-average film. Nevertheless, enthusiasm is not warranted. Although the screenplay, in terms of its objectives, generally functions well and the individual scenes evoke roughly the emotions intended by the screenwriter, there are still moments where it feels strained. And unfortunately, this is most evident in the climax , when the story moves to Berlin and the tension is supposed to peak during a car chase through the city streets, in close proximity to the Berlin Wall. Lino Ventura was an experienced matador of French cinema and a seasoned professional. His favorite stylization as a tough guy who doesn't really need the police to restore order and protect his rights is limited by his age here - after all, Ventura was nearly 65 years old during filming. In a scene where he takes down a gang member roughly half his age, one cannot help but be reminded of Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino, as the frail old man delivers a beating to a gangster two generations younger. Overall impression: 70%. (08/30/2014)

The aging Lino Ventura didn't have it easy in his de facto last leading role. His son looks like his grandson, his mother like his sister, he's up against criminals a generation younger, and on top of that, there are the loving glances from younger women. And about the story... For two-thirds of the runtime, someone is just huffing into a phone, the subsequent revelation of motivations is somewhat lacking, and there's a trio of policemen who seem to have wandered in from another genre. The mentioned darkness with almost horror elements was something I didn't notice at all (unless you count the mummy-like standing daughters of Inspector Esperanza). And the sharpness of the silent man with a butterfly on his shoulder was also absent. (09/02/2024)