Mesrine (Parts 1 & 2)
A two-part French gangster biopic, starring the always-excellent Vincent Cassel as notorious criminal Jacques Mesrine.
The first part ('Killer Instinct') begins with a terrific split-screen opening sequence - reminiscent of the original 'Thomas Crown Affair'. Then, the film flashes back 20 years and establishes principal characters and the Parisian underworld. 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 instalment ('Public Enemy No. 1') is just as good, if not better than the first. Richet's camerawork becomes less fluid with more hand-held photography, giving the film a naturalistic, documentary-style feel. It introduces new characters, played by Mathieu Amalric and Ludivine Sagnier - who are both excellent. The final act, a re-tread of the opening sequence of 'Killer Instinct', is a bit laborious, but the movie ends on a suitably enigmatic note.
