Shoot the Pianist

Truffaut’s second feature film points to his work as a critic in his homage to the 1950s gangster genre and B-movie.

Charlie (Charles Aznavour) is a piano player in a town bar, who once entertained glory as a concert pianist. However, it is his familial past which returns to haunt him when crooks embroiled with his brothers turn their attentions to Charlie and his girlfriend Lena (Marie Dubois).

Although one of Truffaut’s most direct use of genre, the film does not detract from his unique ability for characterization and direction of actors, most notably Aznavour who became better known as a singer, but reminds us here of his immense talent in front of the camera as well.