L’Indic (1983) - film review

Dominique, a member of a ruthless crime syndicate, meets Syliva, an ordinary young woman, at a funeral, and start a relationship.  A short while later, Syliva is approached by a police inspector, Dorniche, who tells her that her new boyfriend works for a notorious master criminal and that her life is in danger.  Sylvia tries to ignore Dorniche and persuades Dominique to start a new life.  However, Dorniche is determined to catch his man and blackmails Sylvia into betraying her boyfriend...

Whatever strengths this mild detective thriller has are probably eclipsed by the fact that it features two now internationally known actors – Daniel Auteuil and Thierry Lhermitte - who were both quite early into their acting careers.  Certainly, these two very charismatic and talented actors dominate the film from start to finish with two touchingly introspective performances, virtually rendering the plot and the entire supporting cast redundant,  This is probably just as well given the quality of both the plot and the supporting cast.

Although the film does has significant short-comings – fairly weak characterisation and some dreadful scripting being the most obvious faults – it does hang together quite well.  The plot is somewhat too familiar and often irritatingly predictable – especially the ending.  However, there is an appropriate mix of action and sentiment and, whilst not exactly Grade A entertainment, it is overall not a bad film.

© James Travers 2000

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