Why Jim Jarmusch Calls This 1967 Classic the “All-Time Greatest L.A. Crime Film”

One of those interesting and unique filmmakers I kind of forget about from time to time is Jim Jarmusch. I feel like every few years, he makes a movie, and then I revisit his old work, and it blows me away.

He's got such a keen eye for character and such a fun style. I love hearing him talk about cinema in general.

Recently, he talked to the Criterion Channel about some of his favorite movies. Apparently, Jarmusch has a deep appreciation for the "landscape of L.A. crime."

And while he respects heavyweights like Chinatown and Double Indemnity , there is one film he considers the absolute pinnacle: John Boorman’s 1967 masterpiece, Point Blank.

That's a movie I love turning people on to, and it's cool to hear the filmmaker wax about it, calling it a "remarkable jewel" of experimental filmmaking that every director and editor should study.

Let's dive in.

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1. The Power of Collaborative Trust

One of the most fascinating takeaways from that video for any filmmaker is the relationship between star Lee Marvin and director John Boorman.

It was symbiotic, and it allowed them to do their best work feeding off each other.

At the time of this movie, Marvin was a massive star with full approval over the script and casting. But after meeting Boorman, Marvin did something radical: he handed all those rights over to the director and became a tool in his hands..

Marvin recognized Boorman’s vision and chose to help the director rather than be a roadblock. This trust allowed Boorman to create something truly unique.

2. A Masterclass in Experimental Editing

This movie might have the best editing of all time. The hallway walk alone at the beginning is breathtaking.

Jarmusch highlights the film's "fractured narrative" as its most striking feature, and I have to agree. Unlike the linear crime stories of the era, Point Blank uses Flashbacks at unexpected moments. And the story unfolds in a way that feels more like a dream (or a nightmare) than a standard procedural.

I found that aspect to be deeply inspirational.

All this is supported by the rhythmic sound design.

****Jarmusch points to the famous sequence of Walker’s footsteps, which I mentioned earlier. The sound of his feet echoing down a cold hallway becomes a narrative device in itself, and a literal representation of a man who "doesn't let anything get in his way."

3. The Art of Subtraction (Less is More)

In a world where scripts are often overwritten or melodramatic, Point Blank thrives on silence.

We get long stretches without dialogue and where the narrative breathes and sneaks.

Jarmusch notes a specific scene where Walker confronts his wife earlier in the movie. Apparently, the original script had dialogue, but Lee Marvin chose to say absolutely nothing.

This "absence of dialogue" makes the scene significantly more sinister. It’s a reminder for filmmakers that sometimes the most powerful choice a character can make is to stay silent.

Summing It All Up

Point Blank is essential viewing for any crime fan or film buff. It proves that you can take a hard-boiled crime story and turn it into a high-art, non-linear experiment without losing the audience.

This movie rocks, so go see it if you have the chance.

Let me know what you think in the comments.