The main problem with “Mesrine: Killer Instinct,” the first of a two-part bio-pic about actual French criminal Jacques Mesrine, is that much of it plays like movies we’ve seen before. Add to the been-there-seen-that feel is the fact that we really never see what motivates Mesrine. So, essentially, we’ve got “Good Fellas” mixed with a little “Godfather,” “Bonnie and Clyde” and any number of James Cagney flicks. And “Killer Instinct” doesn’t offer anything that’s uniquely different because Mesrine’s story, that of a French Army veteran who embarked on a career as a hard-core criminal, lends itself to every possible movie cliché. Plus, in an attempt to include as many key events as possible, the movie often jumps from scene to scene without pausing for any character development. However, there certainly are many grisly scenes of violence, including stabbings, shootings and, during one uncomfortable sequence, Mesrine being tortured by prison guards. The highlight of part one is Vincent Cassel’s performance. He won a Cesar Award (the French equivalent of the Oscar) for his work in this film and it’s clear why. His Mesrine is part sexy charmer and part irrational monster, capable of jamming a gun into the mouth of the mother of his children.
The obvious question at this point is: Do we care enough about Jacques Mesrine to buy a ticket for the second installment, “Mesrine: Public Enemy No. 1,” which seems reminiscent of last summer’s John Dillinger bio-pic, “Public Enemies.” I know how Mesrine dies – in a hail of bullets, of course. Do I need to sit though another two hours? Subtitles. 8/29/10
1 comment:
"Mesrine" is a French version of movies made by James Cagney and Edward G. Robinson in the 30's. Jacques Mesrine was a born criminal and a womanizer of the first order. Part 2 should be interesting.
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