Review of Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (2008) by Tom G — 02 Feb 2010

Wow this film proves that 2 part bio pics JUST DONT WORK. After the phenominal 1st aprt we are given the rest of Mesrine's life from the early 70's to his unfortunate death. Vincent Cassel still proves that this guy is a brilliant actor and while under alot of prostethics and fat suits in this one he still shines and makes this a must see film whle the first film had all he big names the second part had one of my favourite french actors innit Mathieu Almaric (bad guy in quantum of solace and was in Diving bell and the butterfly) he had such a small part and I was gutted but he was on par with Vincent Cassel in their scenes together.

The pace for this film is terrible the first hour is a fast paced action adventure then the second becomes slow paced conspiracy drivel which is why the rating is so low. The writingfor this film is actually astonishing how they decided to make 2 seperate films in 1 is a puzzle and really destroys the whole mesrine experience which is the 3 and half hrs - 4hrs of entertainment but instead we are given such dribble about how he wants to become a freedom fighter which is iteresting andall but when you see the film it is really out of place and destroys what the filmmakers had created.

Overall the Meserine film experience is one fo joy, laughter, edge oif your seat action but is ultimately let down by sloppy writng and porr direction. Overall rating for both parts 7/10.