Cavale (2002)
Directed by Lucas Belvaux

Film Review

Cavale is a masterfully composed film noir which belongs to a trilogy of three films directed by Lucas Belvaux.  The idea is that the storylines of the three films run in parallel, overlapping at various points, thus giving an unusual sense of depth and realism to the film's protagonists.  The other two films in the trilogy are: Un couple épatant and Après la vie (2002).

Cavale stands out as by far and away the best film in the trilogy.  As a film in its own right, it is a compelling, stunningly realised work, and very probably the best French thriller for over a decade.  It is the latest in a long and distinguished line of hard-edged existentialist thrillers in French cinema, and it bears comparison with some of the finest examples of the genre, including Jean-Pierre Melville's Le Samouraï (1967).

Whilst respecting the conventions of film noir, Lucas Belvaux doesn't slavishly follow an existing, well-established format.  Perhaps the most surprising thing about Cavale is its sense of realism and its humanity.  Unlike the vast majority of thrillers, the film has believable characters, with real lives, real failings, real emotions, and this adds to the film's relentless tension and darkly oppressive mood.

As well as directing the film, Belvaux takes the leading role - reportedly because he was unable to find anyone suitable to play the part.  His portrayal of the obsessive activist Bruno is harrowingly real - there's more than a hint of psychosis, yet we also see a glimmer of compassion.  Belvaux's co-stars are just as impressive, particularly Catherine Frot, who gives one of her best dramatic performances to date in an emotionally challenging role.

The most striking thing about Cavale, however, is its hugely effective cinematography, which alternates between the chillingly atmospheric and the hauntingly poetic. Familiar situations are interwoven with shockingly brutal crime scenes, adding further layers of grim menace and tragedy to a tense drama.

Film Synopsis

Bruno Le Roux is an extreme left-wing activist who, after his escape from prison, is more determined than ever to carry on his fight against capitalism.  The state regards him as a dangerous terrorist.  He sees himself as a hero of the proletariat.  But a lot has changed during his fifteen years of incarceration.  Most of his former comrades in arms have given up the fight and now lead ordinary lives.  His ex-partner Jeanne, for instance, is now married, has a family and works as a school teacher in Grenoble.  She wants no part of Bruno's futile crusade.  Another close ally, Jacquillat, now thrives as a mobster.   Likewise, he wants nothing more to do with Bruno and is ready to cooperate with Inspector Manise to have him put back behind bars.  With no one else to turn to, Bruno offers to supply narcotics to a drug addict, Agnès, in return for her help in hiding him from the police.  Bruno's luck is fast running out...