Kirpianuscus it is the basic point defining this special drama. the root - admirable performance of Philippe Noiret. and the case of a deep solitude. defining the fall in near reality. a film for reflect. about parenthood and about the pain as refuge. about the shock changing everything. about the truth. and the post words. and, sure, about the peace with yourself. as the only reasonable answer to old fears and certitudes.

zolaaar The lonely, simple life of Michel Descombes (Philippe Noiret), a clockmaker who lost his wife years ago, changes when hears that his grown-up son murdered a man and is on the run with his girlfriend. Michel is shocked and questions his upbringing, while a nice police inspector (Jean Rochefort) shows much sympathy for him.Tavernier's shining debut and co-operation with New Wave veterans Aurenche and Bost brings a novel by Simenon on screen. It's a work of old-fashioned concision that the mechanic of the title would have been more than proud of. It is more a psychological study than a crime drama, because there is next to no outer plot. The happenings are taking place in the head of Michel, the father, masterly played by Philippe Noiret, who suddenly gets confronted with the serious actions of his son. He becomes aware of how little he knows about him, although they used to be together all the time. The focus is less on the murderer nor on the victim, but more on what the catastrophe means for the father of the committer, in a powerful work of authenticity.

didiermustntdie i like the smell of the street of Lyon , I like the small towns of France's 70's ,that's why i also like Montpelier in"deux hommes dans la ville" ..Cécile Vassort who was in both movies is a perfect small town girl for me tavernier who was appointed as the director of this film apparently was influenced by his teacher jean Pierre Melville who also had a great sense of cities's street , the difference is Melville prefers big cities, Paris, marseille, new york , Chicago, etc. when Melville smells the dark crime of big cities, tavernier smells the fresh life of small towns ,another difference if you ask me...here i also want to mention another director Pierre granier deferre who usually smells very small villages instead of cities or towns. so he made decent fils , such as Veuve Couderc, La (1971) Horse, La (1970) Fils, Le (1973)

wahljl This film is a brilliant portrayal of a man caught between his private memories of a fugitive son and the political interpretations of his son's actions. There is a constant interplay between Michel Descombes's private existence, individualized profession (as an artisan, he is necessarily the opposite of a mass producer), and the public spectacle that his son has become. It is truly a fascinating commentary on subversion and freedom, wonderfully played by Noiret and other greats, that provides incredible emotional depth.