SnoopyStyle
Fred (Christopher Lambert) escapes from gangsters stealing some important papers and crashes into the Paris Metro. He in his tux is hiding out in the subway. He negotiates an exchange for ten grand from the gangster's trophy wife Héléna (Isabelle Adjani) but she doesn't pay. He befriends roller-skating thief Jean-Louis whom the cops call Le Roller. Roller introduces him to the underground world of the underground. Roller has a gun and a scheme to rob the weekly subway money transfer.This is full of the Euro-fun style of Luc Besson. It's full of memorable characters. One of them is Jean Reno as the nameless drummer. The plot is a bit meandering but the visual imagery is unforgettable. Roller skating down the escalator is fun action and Besson injects music like in a music video. The cops are a little inferior stylistically although Batman and Robin is a fun name.
lost-in-limbo
Truly I had no clue about what was going on in French director Luc Besson's offbeat, but terribly jerky story involving a sly safe cracker fleeing to the underground Paris Metro, after stealing some important documents off a millionaire that he would try to ransom off to. The bubblegum romantic-crime-drama premise is a washing machine filled with ideas, which are hanging off a very loose, but unpredictable plot. There's not much groundwork, but its impulsive nature, trivial gimmicks and interesting urban environment just gets you caught in the disjointed whirlwind of these strenuously adventurous situations, melancholy despair and eccentric characters. The delirious script never takes itself seriously (the humour is strong) and feels insignificant, but it sure had many awkward and lumpy exchanges. Some passages feel quite useless, and have poor continuity, but there's a certain charm that's hard to resist. The English dubbed version sounds quite terrible though. It's like Besson has thrown caution to the wind, and is experimenting with his visually sharp prowess and stylish verve to get any sort of impact and details through. His placement, pacing and overall enthusiasm is impeccable. Some action sequences, mainly the opening car chase scene is very well delivered. He draws so much form very little and never seems bounded by logic. From the get-go he storms right in and never lets the smoking composition, slick atmosphere sway off course. Brimming in is an electrifying tacky electronic / rock soundtrack (by Eric Serra) and Carlo Varini's camera-work beautifully illustrates Besson's characteristically moody framings. The worthwhile cast do an admirable job. Christopher Lambert's broodingly dry and grasping performance has an immensely hypnotic ambiance to it. An alluring Isabelle Adjani draws up an infectiously collected, and classy performance. There's enjoyably fine kooky support from Jean-Hughes Anglade, Richard Bohringer, Jean-Pierre Barcri, Michel Galabru and the always delightful Besson regular Jean Reno.Besson's "Subway" is resourcefully fun and colourful pulp, if a rather jaded experience.
corgi757
I am still laughing over Big Bill and all the silly characters in this film.Now this is funny in any language. I have the English version and even with the bad dubbing (which makes it even more funny) this movie is a comedic treasure. Now, here again we have Chris' hair as a character it plays off much better than in Druids. I do not think even Monty Python could get these characters together -- we have the Ministry of Silly Bands and Safe Crackers. When you need a good laugh just tune in to Subway -- and for all of us in New York it really makes you think... what is going on down there?Score a 9 out of possible 10.
Lloyd_Dobbler
I love French cinema, just so you know. However... This movie has no plot, no character development, no vision, and no coherence. It starts nowhere and goes nowhere. It doesn't so much "end" as much as it just "stops". I own this film on DVD, and I can't even give it away because I'd feel responsible for whoever else would watch it. Besson is a master. Even the masters can craft some dreck. This is a terrible, terrible, terrible film.
AD
