Tirez sur le pianiste (1960)

A washed-up classical pianist bottoms out after his wife's suicide — stroking the keys in a Parisian bar and, when his brothers get in trouble with gangsters, he inadvertently gets dragged into the chaos and is forced to rejoin the family he once fled.

Wonderfully playful and at times surreal and absurdist take on Film Noir that enthuses by its esprit and sheer joy of taking a plot wherever it may go.

Halliwell*: "Fair copy of an American film noir, not especially interesting except for its sharp observation."

Maltin****: "Atmospheric early Truffaut gem...This film, more than any other, reflects the influence of Hollywood low-budget melodramas on Truffaut and his cinematic style."