Mesrine: Killer Instinct
The first part of a French gangster biopic, starring the always-excellent Vincent Cassel as notorious criminal Jacques Mesrine.
After a terrific split-screen opening sequence - reminiscent of the original 'Thomas Crown Affair' - the film flashes back 20 years and becomes a tad sluggish while establishing principal characters and the Parisian underworld. Fortunately, it soon picks up pace and we are treated to numerous stand-out moments - the highlight coming towards the end, when Mesrine is imprisoned in Canada and stages a dramatic escape.
Cassel is on top form, ably supported by the likes of Gerard Depardieu and Cecile De France. Director Jean-Francois Richet, clearly working under the influence of Martin Scorsese, also deserves praise for his efficient editing: we don't need to see the failed bank job; the shot of Mesrine walking down the prison corridor tells us everything we need to know!
The second, arguably superior installment of the story is released at the end of the month.
