A two part feature, Jean-François Richet’s action crime films Mesrine Part 1: Killer Instinct and Mesrine Part 2: Enemy #1 are best watched when paired together. That is why I am utilizing my dual review feature to discuss both here today.
Together, running a little over four hours, the story looks at the life of real life figure Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel) – brought to vivid life by the talented French actor, who is able to capture the man’s charm and Robin Hood (thief) appeal, as well as the scary side that bubbles just below the surface. From its very onset, we are drawn into the suspense-filled tale, as Richet utilizes a split screen effect (and sometimes more) to ratchet up the ominous foreboding. Resembling something from a Brian De Palma flick, it is an effective way to have us looking over our shoulder for some unknown threat. By the end of the sequence, we know the fate of our elusive figure and are transported back to learn the entire sordid tale.
Part 1 spans the years 1959-1972. We are introduced to a young Mesrine, a soldier in the French army during the Algerian War – the man was given the horrid task of shooting prisoners (who were being tortured) in the head. Returning home with an unknown future, Mesrine moves in with his parents (Michel Duchaussoy and Myriam Boyer). This provides us with a look into his upbringing, where we see a meek father who has always been subdued by an alpha-mother, something their son takes umbrage with.
Arguing with his parents over his employment (they have found him a 9 to 5 job), the former military man skips out to take a ride on the town with old chum Paul (Gilles Lellouche) in a posh automobile. Learning that Paul has fallen into the world of crime, he asks to be introduced to his boss, Guido (Gérard Depardieu).
Entering into the seedy criminal underworld, he begins to pull robberies with his buddy, and finds a sort of love with ‘a woman of the night’ named Sarah (Florence Thomassin). Soon, he is having issues with the dame’s pimp, Ahmed (Abdelhafid Metalsi) – the way it is eventually dealt with captures the dichotomy of humour and horror that flows through several scenes in the two pictures.
Leaving France to hide out (the man is always being hunted by cop or criminal), Mesrine meets a young woman named Sofia (Elena Anaya), and they soon marry and have children. Wanting him to leave the criminal business and return to a noble profession, he acquiesces – finding enjoyment in it until he is unfortunately let go, tempting him once again to re-enter the dangerous realm. Sofia leaves him, eventually leading him to find love with a kindred spirit in Jeanne Schneider (Cécile De France).
After attracting unwanted attention from the French mafia, the couple decide to flee the country, finding safety in Quebec in Canada (Mesrine leaves his children from his first marriage with his parents). It does not take long for Mesrine to find another tarnished soul in Jean-Paul Mercier (Roy Dupuis) – who will become a long-time friend and accomplice.
Long story short, Mesrine and his moll try to pull a kidnapping, which fails, and they are eventually captured by the police in Arizona. Extradited back to Canada, they are sentenced – Mesrine is placed in the Saint-Vincent-de-Paul prison, a place that no one would like to find themselves. Meant for severe criminals, Mesrine is tortured in horrible ways. Finding Mercier on the inside, the two make a pact to escape or die. Miraculously, they do break loose, returning soon after to try to break their fellow inmates out as well.
Part 2 looks at the years 1972 until 1979. This finds Mesrine back in France. As you can imagine, he finally finds himself in front of a judge. There are two very different court scenes in this section; both will impress. The first will have you in shock as to what Mesrine pulls, while the second is a most comedic sequence, showing his larger than life persona – as he insults the judge and the system, impressing the onlookers in the courtroom (including his now teenaged daughter).
Despite his joie de vivre in the court, he is sentenced to twenty years. Becoming a bizarre celebrity, he writes his autobiography while in prison. He also meets François Besse (Mathieu Amalric), a fellow criminal who has a knack for escaping from behind bars. Soon, the two find themselves on the outside, free once again.
The rest of the film follows Mesrine as he continues to pull heists, while also creating a burgeoning personality in the media (giving intense interviews that lead to him being labelled a revolutionary), living a lavish life and finding his next skirt in Sylvia Jeanjacquot (Ludivine Sagnier). All of this catches up to the gangster as he finds himself being pursued by a pitbull of a detective, Broussard (Olivier Gourmet). Will the career criminal find a way to evade the coppers and live his life on the periphery, or will he be shot down, ending his reign as public enemy number one?
Vividly capturing drive-by shootings, kidnapping, daring prison escapes, bank robberies (sometimes back to back) and a complex police sting, as well as all of the glitz, glamour and gals that come along with this bizarre life, Richet is able to depict a chilling criminal underworld that our lead happily meanders through. All of this would be for not, if it was not for Cassel, who is able to depict a man that is full of dichotomies: Robin-Hood revolutionary versus violent murdering psychopath; a man who is always true to his word yet can kidnap someone over the smallest thing; caring son to a father while also showing regret for his lack of parenting to his daughter, contrasting the way in which he can violently snap at his significant other in more than vile ways. The larger than life persona, who was known for his skill at concocting impressive disguises, is the heart of the experience – and Cassel more than delivers. It helps that he is supported by a group of quality French actors.
Both pictures also feature fitting scores from Marco Beltrami and Marcus Trumpp. The composition helps in building the atmosphere, full of a suspenseful aura that makes us feel like something foreboding is waiting just round every corner. The movies also contain some intriguing songs, from “Stand By Your Man” to the French classic “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”; each selection places us in a specific mood or provides us with a particular vibe.
Often being called the French Scarface, Mesrine is filmed at a break-neck pace, never allowing us to settle down. There is so much going on, often feeling like this is some sort of amalgamation of every action crime thriller ever made. Where most would focus on one robbery or court case, this sweeping feature film pair depict several crimes that are epic in nature. In many ways, this may be the films’ major flaw, as some of the more subtle moments (especially in Mesrine’s past and family life) could be given more depth. Nonetheless, Mesrine is an absolutely stunning character study. So, don’t get riddled over the fact that this is a French language film; join Mesrine on his epic journey as he formulates his own skewed meaning to the famous phrase Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité.