Taking its cues
from Hollywood blockbusters, this French
thriller becomes increasingly unbelievable as the narrative progresses, though
it is done with such energetic fervor that disbelief can be set aside for
spectacle and suspense. What helps keep the story moving is the ability to
shift directions and genre-infusion. A serial killer film is combined with a
crime thriller, with the first quarter of the film playing out as a prison
narrative. Though each individual aspect of the film may seem contrived and
highly unlikely, the combined effect is a high octane thriller teetering on the
line between intelligent and escapist entertainment.
Albert Dupontel
(Irreversible, A Very Long Engagement) stars as convicted bank robber, Franck
Adrien, whose time in prison is becoming more deadly as his accomplice becomes
less trusting of the fact that the secret location of the money stolen from the
bank is known by Franck alone. Unwilling to trust even the mother of his child,
Franck stubbornly keeps the location of the loot hidden until making the
mistake of trusting his seemingly innocent cell mate, Jean-Louis Maurel
(Stéphane Debac). After Maurel is released, Franck discovers the truth behind
his brilliant deception. Worse than the loss of the bank robbery money,
Maurel’s twisted genius threatens Franck’s family, specifically his young
daughter.
Unable to do
anything from prison, where he is still in danger of attacks from his irate
partner, Franck makes a daring escape to stop Maurel from any number of likely
malicious things he may be capable of. The downfall in the film comes from the
numerous reasons Franck has to chase down Maurel and the inability to convey
honorable intentions amidst the fast-paced action. Franck may be growing as a person,
dismissing the money’s importance for the life of his daughter or to stop the
madman from further murders, but there is little evidence of his true motives
for the noble actions within the screenplay.
The Blu-ray
release includes an interview with director Eric Valette, a making-of
featurette and a theatrical trailer.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6.5/10
Historical
Significance: 4/10
Disc Features: 5/10
No comments:
Post a Comment
Agree? Disagree? Questions for the class? All comments are welcome...