Lino the Linotype

Humble newspaper seller Pascal (Lino Ventura) saves a man who jumps into the Seine only to find himself embroiled in a complex crime of passion.

After being manipulated into taking the fall, his inner lion awakens, and a clock seems to be ticking as he tries to clear his name. Will he get out of this or is a miscarriage of justice on the cards? Are we right to believe him anyway? We are tossed from one unreliable character to another, not knowing who to believe.

As psychological thrillers go, the foundations of 125 rue Montmartre are remarkably well laid, but it is ultimately undermined by the odd circumstance that plumbs the limits of disbelief. There is also this niggling doubt about the casting. Robert Hirsch and Jean Desailly deliver sterling supporting performances, and our protagonist is a good fit for his role on paper… but there is no escaping the fact that he is Lino Ventura.

Still, this is an engaging nearly-noir that is well worthy of its recent remaster.