Dealer in art and antiquities Robert Klein (Alain Delon) has a pretty good gig going in Nazi occupied Paris during WW 2. He buys at "bargain prices" art work from desperate Jews trying to escape or survive Vichy, France and feels little guilt over it. Not his problem. But matters suddenly change when he is mistaken for another Mr. Klein and becomes circumspect in the process. The smug sense of entitlement soon turns to desperation and to find out just who this other Klein is as French authorties begin to zero in on him.
Klein opens with a very disturbing scene of an insensitive doctor manhandling a woman with Jewish features during examination. It is a brutal scene that sets the mood and the stakes Klein will soon face of dehumanization and deportation to camps. He desperately wants to clear himself but at the same time willing to jeopardize his freedom by meeting up with Klein.
Alain Delon gives an outstanding performance as the perplexed Klein. The long time matinee idol stretches well beyond his looks and digs deep to give a multi-layered tragic performance. Whether condescendingly being disdainful of sellers or squirming before authorities Delon oozes the role the cavalier then desperate Klein.
Director Joe Losey's somber direction never lets up on the fear, paranoia and confusion Klein faces as he deals with cold French authorities. Void mostly of a music score it approaches being a clinical observation about a society of collaborationists indifferently performing their dark duties with the viewer as Delon spiraling into some Kafkaesque nightmare. It is an uncomfortable but powerfully sober watch.
Klein opens with a very disturbing scene of an insensitive doctor manhandling a woman with Jewish features during examination. It is a brutal scene that sets the mood and the stakes Klein will soon face of dehumanization and deportation to camps. He desperately wants to clear himself but at the same time willing to jeopardize his freedom by meeting up with Klein.
Alain Delon gives an outstanding performance as the perplexed Klein. The long time matinee idol stretches well beyond his looks and digs deep to give a multi-layered tragic performance. Whether condescendingly being disdainful of sellers or squirming before authorities Delon oozes the role the cavalier then desperate Klein.
Director Joe Losey's somber direction never lets up on the fear, paranoia and confusion Klein faces as he deals with cold French authorities. Void mostly of a music score it approaches being a clinical observation about a society of collaborationists indifferently performing their dark duties with the viewer as Delon spiraling into some Kafkaesque nightmare. It is an uncomfortable but powerfully sober watch.