carbuff
Interesting French action/thriller with some problems but still worth the time. The problems are, first, that the protagonist keeps moving like the Energizer Bunny even after repeatedly suffering nearly crippling levels of bodily trauma. I once jumped from a height of around twelve to fifteen feet-- I hurt for weeks. Another time, in an ill-advised drunken scuffle, I suffered a few broken ribs, and it was a long, long time before I could move vigorously again without pretty intense pain. To borrow a famous movie line (with a minor twist), "I'll have what he's having." The second main problem with the film is that the plot is riddled with holes. If it were a cheese, it would be Swiss. Just as an obvious example, everybody in the whole world, including law enforcement, knows that this guy has a couple of million in stolen loot stashed that he is waiting to get at after he's released. Am I missing something here? In France, after you've done your prison time, is the money you stole now yours to keep and spend as you choose? I would be expecting big problems doing anything with a huge amount of hot cash, since the authorities are going to be watching pretty closely, but this issue is never even raised. There are many other worse holes in the plot too. Still, this film is redeemed due to the fact that the plot, although not as realistic and tight as it could be, is pretty original, not very predictable, and keeps moving without allowing the tension to slacken. Therefore, despite a few reservations, I can recommend this film and still sleep nice and soundly
movie reviews
This is a well made well written (the key!) French crime thriller that keeps you entertained.I enjoyed the French prison part (are they really like this?) with what looked like private bathrooms pillows and desks pens and books etc... The inmates are entertained by cello and harpsichord chamber music (that was funny).Anyway there are surprises which I love. I even liked the chases up to a point the escape from massive police operations seemed too impossible crack a whip over the writers a little harder there. Also by the time of denouement at the villa I was tiring of the movie...maybe because the first part was so good. And the ending with the letter wasn't needed just adds gimmick to this good movie.I watched the movie Blood and Wine with Jack Nicholson and Michael Cain last night and the comparison couldn't be starker...this movie was 100 times more entertaining and better shot and directed. I speak French but makes no difference use the subtitles anyway so I don't miss anything.RECOMMEND!
Aerig Meginlu
This almost comes across as a TV Movie but its standard is much higher.The action is mostly but not entirely in the tension. There are some really nice entirely physical cliffhangers to pull you to the edge of your seat.The characterisation is superb and the plot, while admittedly a cliché, is excellently implemented.Anyone who likes police drama or investigative thriller will find this an unusually good film of its genre.For those that like any amount of the above but also want some eye candy, the cast will appeal to male and female alike.I'm not that big on cheap melodrama type stuff (preferring deeper movies) but this one got me with the clarity and definition of portrayal of each role in the film.It shocks. A bit like a knife in the side ;)
Bribaba
French thriller that moves right along, incrementally closing down your brain as it does so. Albert Dupontel has the face to makes it work as a con on the lam but he's undermined by his nemesis - lady cop Alice Taglioni who looks likes she's just stepped off the catwalk. Her long, luxuriant arms look like they wouldn't trouble a fly of average strength but here they're knocking perps flat out. Even for the French, this is a bit de trop. The rest of the cast are the real deal with everyone playing their part to the hilt. It also looks good and the endless chases are well executed but in most aspects it's blown away by French TV cop shows like Spiral.
AD
