Jacques Mesrine, a loyal son and dedicated soldier, is back home and living with his parents after serving in the Algerian War. Soon he is seduced by the neon glamour of sixties Paris and the easy money it presents. Mentored by Guido, Mesrine turns his back on middle class law-abiding and soon moves swiftly up the criminal ladder.
Four hours of French gangsters may not sound like a cinematic joy, but with Euro-star Vincent Cassel in the lead role, the movie is utterly hypnotic.
– Richard Nilsen,
Arizona Republic,
12 Aug 2011
rotten:
The effect of Richet's hyperventilating filmmaking is akin to that of an extended-play trailer.
– Robert Koehler,
Variety,
21 Jan 2011
fresh:
It captures the rush of crime as a way of life for a man who did and took whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted, simply because he could take it.
– Rene Rodriguez,
Miami Herald,
7 Oct 2010
rotten:
Cassel is a gifted actor, but he doesn't have enough to grab on to. Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/2010/08/27/2010-08-27_short_takes_mesrine_killer_instinct_highwater_centurion.html#ixzz0xq7eUPID
– Elizabeth Weitzman,
New York Daily News,
27 Aug 2010
fresh:
Cassel, who took the best actor award at France's equivalent of the Oscars for this role, is compulsively watchable.