Review of Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (2008) by Andrej K — 25 Oct 2010

I cant find fault in this film, the story is incredibly engrossing and even though the inevitable does come you're still gripped right the way until they reach the red-light. the film drags you along with it as we see Mesrine inch closer and closer to what can only be described as machine-gun justice, you cant help but like him based on the performance of Vince Cassel (which is all the more impressive given the physical transformation he goes through) but the film never shys away from showing you the true nature of the man.

capable of some real brutality (his revenge on the reporter being a prime example) but also a man willing to put his neck on the line to visit his ailing father, its difficult to get a measure of him and to call him simply a criminal or a bank robber doesnt seem enough.

its an amazing film though, wonderfully acted and brilliantly shot and a superbly told story.