He targets a group of petty, disorganized scrap-metal thieves (the ferrailleurs ) led by an old acquaintance, Abel (Bernard Fregier). Max goes undercover, encouraging them to rob a bank while simultaneously manipulating Abel's girlfriend, Lily (Romy Schneider), into falling for him to ensure the trap is perfectly set. Key Themes & Style
The film explores the "policeman’s paradox." Max is so obsessed with the law that he becomes a criminal mastermind to uphold it, blurring the line between the protector and the predator. Claude Sautet - Max et les ferrailleurs (1971)
The chemistry between —Sautet’s frequent collaborators—is at its most strained and fascinating here, making the film's shocking, nihilistic ending one of the most memorable in French cinema. He targets a group of petty, disorganized scrap-metal
Michel Piccoli plays Max with a terrifying, wax-like stillness. He is a man who has replaced blood with procedure. His inability to respond to Lily’s genuine warmth provides the film's tragic core. His inability to respond to Lily’s genuine warmth