A real mean streak, and go-for-broke attitude seeps from every pore of Enzo G. Castellari's early 70s poliziotteschi fare. How the film starts, which is at full speed with a foot pursuit turned frenetic car chase, is pretty much how it ends with a ruthless shootout. Outside of Castellari's dramatic directing style, the energy was also held together by a dogged and aggressively driven Franco Nero lead performance. He really takes it to another level. Surprise he isn't steaming from the ears during certain moments... because he really plays up the short tempered vice commissioner obviously frustrated with the legal system. His body language is animated and he constantly shouts to get his point across. A lot of it directed towards a worn out looking James Whitmore. Although one unlucky sod, after smugly questioning for a warrant got a slap happy Nero for his troubles. There's even a running theme throughout the script, where a few characters call out his anger issues. "Take it easy, Belli".
The only time he doesn't seemed flustered are the scenes of him spending time with his young daughter. A rather sweet dynamic between the two. This also gave the story varied emotional weight, and helped defined Nero's character. In doing so it help masked the perfunctory narrative that had obvious 'French Connection' influences. Even Fernando Rey comes along for the ride. So it's the typical knotty structure of reckless criminals moving in on each other, backstabbing one other and eventually taking each other out. And Nero is caught up in the middle of it all. Sometimes I got a little lost on who was playing whom in what crime syndicate, but it started falling into place as the plot thickened. Violence, sacrifice and tragedy on a continuous cycle. Nero's character learns it the hard way. His single minded vendetta comes at a cost.
The only time he doesn't seemed flustered are the scenes of him spending time with his young daughter. A rather sweet dynamic between the two. This also gave the story varied emotional weight, and helped defined Nero's character. In doing so it help masked the perfunctory narrative that had obvious 'French Connection' influences. Even Fernando Rey comes along for the ride. So it's the typical knotty structure of reckless criminals moving in on each other, backstabbing one other and eventually taking each other out. And Nero is caught up in the middle of it all. Sometimes I got a little lost on who was playing whom in what crime syndicate, but it started falling into place as the plot thickened. Violence, sacrifice and tragedy on a continuous cycle. Nero's character learns it the hard way. His single minded vendetta comes at a cost.