Watch Two Men in Manhattan

Two Men in Manhattan is a French-American crime film from 1959 that tells the story of two journalists, Moreau (Jean-Pierre Melville) and Delmas (Pierre Grasset), who are tasked with finding a missing French United Nations delegate in New York City. The movie starts with a few opening shots of the bustling night life of the Big Apple in the 1950s. The city is alive with bright lights, music, and people, and the camera captures its energy with a series of close-ups of neon signs, cars, and people walking on the streets.

Moreau and Delmas start their search by investigating the places where the delegate usually goes. They meet some of his acquaintances and colleagues, including his mistress, but they are not successful in finding him. Along the way, they discover a sordid side of the city that they were not expecting. They encounter a jazz musician who is being pursued by the police, a drunken socialite who offers them an invitation to a party, and a prostitute who they mistake for the delegate's mistress.

As they traverse through the city, they notice that they are being followed by two unidentified men in a car. They try to shake them off, but the men keep tailing them. Moreau and Delmas become increasingly paranoid and start to suspect that the men are connected to the delegate's disappearance.

Despite the challenges they face, the journalists remain focused on their mission. They meticulously gather information and clues that lead them down a path of corruption and deceit. They soon realize that the people they believed to be their allies are the ones who are hindering their investigation. Along the way, they meet a woman named Cathy (Christiane Eudes), who helps them with their search. Cathy becomes a love interest for one of the journalists, and her presence complicates things further.

The movie is beautifully shot in black and white, and the camera work is superb. The contrast between light and shadow, the use of reflections, and the angles create a noir atmosphere that adds to the tension and mood of the film. The score is minimalistic, but effective, with saxophone solos and jazz tunes that complement the visuals of the city.

Two Men in Manhattan is a slow-burning film, where the narrative takes its time to unfold. However, the pace is intentional, as the movie is more about the journey than the destination. The film explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and disillusionment. The characters are flawed, complex, and interesting, and their different perspectives on life are reflective of the time and place they inhabit.

Overall, Two Men in Manhattan is a little-known gem that deserves more recognition. It is a well-crafted and thought-provoking piece of cinema that showcases the talent of Jean-Pierre Melville as a director and actor. The movie transports the viewer to a different time and place, and its message resonates even today, making it a timeless classic.

Two Men in Manhattan is a 1959 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 24 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.