Anything-for-a-kick cinematic style is the highlight of Francois Truffaut’s larky second feature, “Shoot the Piano Player,” in which the former film critic takes on an American noir novel (by David Goodis) and works with impish success that the autobiographical charms of “The 400 Blows” could be matched by the inventiveness of his imagination. While charming on video, Truffaut was, of course, thinking of the big screen when he made this widescreen tribute to the effortless images of the movies he loved that came to Paris in bunches at the end of World War II. Truffaut called the role of Charlie, filled by chanson stylist Charles Aznavour, a “portrait of a shy person,” and it’s that, too, as well as a tragicomic delight. (Ray Pride)
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