Film Review
This film is almost the antidote to the conventional spy thriller movie. It is not
quite a spoof, but its intentionally confusing plot developments (none of which are fully
explained) and truly bizarre characters makes it a respectable parody of the genre at
least.
Director Yves Boisset's mastery of the thriller genre is evident from the very first scene
and carries him through the film with effortless grace. Although the spectator has
little chance of understanding what is happening, it is nonetheless a film which manages
to grip the attention and offers some rewards.
The film's strongest point are the performances from its two lead actors. Lino Ventura,
the archetypal hard man of French cinema since the late 1950s, manages to hold the whole
thing together by the force of his personality alone, although he does for the most part
look as if he is completely lost. He is only slightly outstaged by Michel Piccoli
who plays the shadowy Mr Chance, as enigmatic and as unfathomable as it is possible to
be. The Ventura-Piccoli pairing works surprisingly well, the tension between the
two actors sometimes appearing so strained you feel that Ventura, exasperated, is about
to lash out and punch his co-star.
A wacky, bewildering plot which twists and turns like a cross-between a Möbius band
and a cat's cradle. Great performances from some formidable actors.
A racy film score which you wish you wish you could go out and buy on CD. Plus all
the trappings associated with spy movies, loads of grisly killings. With all this
on offer, it is such a pity that the film has to have such a down-beat and predictable
ending.
© James Travers 2001
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Next Yves Boisset film:
Le Prix du danger (1983)
Film Synopsis
Having worked for as a spy for the French government, Sébastien Grenier is now
enjoying a peaceful life in Zurich, living with his German girlfriend and working as a
financier. Then, one day, his ordered life comes to a sudden end. After a
terrorist killing, he is contacted by a mysterious stranger, Jean-Paul Chance, who claims
to have been sent from the secret security services in Paris to “awaken” the former spy,
so he can resume his espionage activities. Suspicious, Grenier contacts a fellow
agent, Marchand who, shortly afterwards is killed. Convinced that someone high in
authority is intent on wiping out the network of spies, Grenier travels to Munich to alert
another of his former collegues. When this agent is also killed, Grenier realises
that he and and his girlfriend are both in great danger...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.