Watch French Connection II

In 1971, the original French Connection stormed the box office, becoming a landmark in the crime thriller genre. Four years later, French Connection II arrived as a logical consequence, extending the story but, more importantly, exploring the themes and characters developed in the first movie. Set immediately after the events of the first film, French Connection II sees New York City Detective Popeye Doyle (Gene Hackman) traveling to Marseilles, France, to catch a major drug dealer named Alain Charnier (Fernando Rey). Despite his success in dismantling Charnier's American operation, Doyle quickly realizes that it will be much harder to catch him on his home turf, where graft and corruption are rampant, and the French police are not keen on cooperating with an American cowboy.

Lost in a city he doesn't know, without a badge, a gun, or any leads, Doyle embarks on a perilous quest for revenge, fueled by the memory of his partner's death and his own addiction to cocaine, which he developed during his first encounter with Charnier. But the more he investigates, the more he sinks into a spiral of paranoia and despair, realizing that he might be fighting a losing battle against an enemy who knows him better than he knows himself.

French Connection II is a different kind of movie from its predecessor, more ambitious, more introspective, and more European in its sensibility. Directed by John Frankenheimer, a master of political thrillers, the film forsakes the action-packed, adrenaline-fueled sequences of the first movie for a slow-burning, character-driven drama that delves into the psyche of its protagonist and the moral ambiguity of law enforcement.

Gene Hackman delivers an Oscar-nominated performance as Popeye Doyle, a character that exemplifies the anti-hero archetype, flawed, contradictory, and savage, but also vulnerable, passionate, and heroic. Hackman's Doyle is a far cry from the one-dimensional caricature of the first movie, a character that embodies the contradictions of the American Dream and the disillusionment of the Vietnam era.

Fernando Rey, for his part, is no less brilliant as Alain Charnier, the suave and cunning Gallic mastermind who turns the tables on Doyle and exposes his weaknesses. Rey's Charnier is a clever antagonist, the epitome of the cultured villain, who commands respect and admiration from Doyle despite their opposing goals.

The supporting cast of French Connection II is equally impressive, featuring veteran French actors like Bernard Fresson, Philippe Léotard, and Ed Lauter, who add depth and authenticity to the film's depiction of France's underworld and political landscape. Frankenheimer's direction is stylish and understated, relying on long takes, intense close-ups, and a muted color palette to convey an atmosphere of paranoia and decadence.

But what makes French Connection II stand out from its predecessor is its willingness to confront the darker side of the hero's journey and expose the limitations of the law. Unlike in the first movie, where victory felt achievable and satisfying, French Connection II portrays law enforcement as a flawed institution that can only do so much against a foe who is willing to fight dirty and corrupt everyone around him. Doyle's addiction is just one symptom of the moral decay that infects him and his fellow officers, who resort to illegal and unethical methods to achieve their goals.

French Connection II is a somber and challenging sequel that redefines the expectations of the genre and provides an insightful reflection on the human condition. It's a film that rewards patience and attention, and one that deserves to be seen and appreciated beyond the shadow of its predecessor.

French Connection II is a 1975 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 59 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 68.