Noir lays the foundations for the figure of the solitary and meticulous killer where Baron's direction, while maintaining formality, differs from the noirs of classic Hollywood given that he also seeks "dirty" settings, violence is shown and for these aspects it is a sort of forerunner for New Hollywood.
The opening of the film perfectly outlines the protagonist without framing him, a dark tunnel where you can see the small light at the exit crossed by a train.
The killer Frankie is a totally lonely character, as reiterated by the voice over, Baron never misses an opportunity to show how the killer is totally uncomfortable with people and in social environments.
Very interesting that despite the voice over he insists on the fact that Frankie you hate everything and everyone, the killer seeks social interaction.
In fact the protagonist would like to change his life, here is the light at the bottom of the initial gallery, but Baron seems not to want to give hope by composing a rather tragic film with no way out 'exit.
The killer therefore never appears banal, he is a multi-faceted character who since childhood, the focus on orphans is emblematic, has only had the worst and this has conditioned his path from which he would also like to escape to able to live in a "normal" way even if among his thoughts he says that he also hates this possible type of life.
Film from which Melville will take various aspects for his Le Samuorai, in turn making his own speech on society.< br />Fincher's recent The Killer also owes a lot to Baron's film, the insistence of the voice over but how the character "betrays" his own thoughts on several occasions.
The direction is excellent both in showing the loneliness of the killer through medium shots, is convincing in showing him unsuitable in social environments and works both in the scenes of violence and preparation of the "hit".
Frankie's advance into the distance where Baron takes all his time is beautiful , but there are many significant scenes such as the passage during the Christmas holidays.
Excellent film that works both on its own and which, in addition, serves as a trailblazer for many great films and authors.