Beautiful, moving film.

As Good As It Gets

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Feeling the first part is more like a prelude. In the constant superposition of various subjective and objective conditions, Merlin will never be able to leave this killing world. Even though the film seems to be shot in the standard gangster mode, it is very clever that the director did not purify the cause in the process of building the character. After all, the title "L'instinct de mort" has already explained everything: the film focuses on restoration, not analysis.

Ah, the French. Known for their intense thrillers that leave you jumping on the edge of your seats. The crash zooms, the guns, the artsy fartsy... anyway, back to Mesrine: Killer Instinct Pt. 1. I was impressed, it fulfilled my expectations of a crime thriller. It shocked me in some parts, it left me wanting more in others. I felt the characters (especially Mesrine's) were a bit dull, and didn't leave me feeling sympathetic or apathetic. I felt like I was a blank canvas being forced to watch a guy spilling his life out on screen. The story I felt was a little rushed; everything about this man's life was crammed together in 2 hours. It just wasn't enough time. I forgot about characters, I wondered about characters, I wondered why we were introduced to some at all, it didn't feel right. Yes, some aspects of the story were great and truly mesmerizing, but the film as a whole just didn't add to that. In terms of the production; cinematography was beautiful, abstract and a little more inviting. I felt like I was in a psychedelic world in some scenes. I don't want say this, but the film turned into a 'Taken' towards the end. It forgot about the story and spiraled out into this over the top, unnecessary ending. This is an entertaining film, but it's ego- tistical story isn't it's greatest point.

The simple thought that a man like Mesrine really existed is terrifying. A complete and ideal criminal, slick, resourceful, always calm and ready to impact his environment in the worst sense, while always being in control of the outcome. Well, almost always. I've heard about Mesrine before watching this fine movie. And I have to say, it left me slightly disappointed. Some of the crucial details were left out. But I find that reasonable cause some 500 year old countries don't have as much history as this man had. Nor did they impact the world as this man did. A true bad ass that took a small part in shaping the modern media, French laws and pop culture in general. And got nicknamed "The Man of a thousand Faces" in the process. Oh yeah. He actually found time to write an autobiography during his stay at the prison which eventually forced the French government to push the "Son of Sam" law, forbidding the publishment of books written by known criminals. Clyde, you have been shotgunned by the Frenchy in every way.The notion that "L'instinct de mort" leaves behind is definitely a romantic one. This movie is made to be popular and more "user friendly". I could not shake off the feeling that Vincent Cassel was the best man for the job, at any given moment of this movie. Great work. He totally pulled it off. Especially the parts where Mesrine gets caught in fishy situations and when his calmness absolutely shines. Vincent made it look SO easy. The movie constantly introduced new characters and every single one of them was special in their own way. The feminine characters that associated with Mesrine all proved fatal to this Byronic hero. Everything about them is made short but full, easy to understand. This movie also intrigued me with the sudden termination of what seemed to be critical figures in Mesrines life, giving everything a more realistic taste. Something like terminating Leo DiCaprio in Departed. Its done, deal with it, move on. The side of the movie that deals with the media reminded me of Tarantinos "Natural born killers". Mickey and Malorey equal Jacques and Jeanne.Once again, I have been reassured that French movies are the hot stuff. As I mentioned before, this movie is "user friendly" all the way and the thing about French movies is that I never had any problem about being picky to whom I am going to recommend them. In the end, everybody loves 'em. So do I. Can't wait to see the second part tonight!

Although living in France I hardly speak it so was confined to reading subtitles. You have to see this movie in French though, it's as French as it can be. But, it's French as good as it can be. Hearing it in French makes it all the better. It's been a long time that such a good crime gangster movie was made. The realism level is amazing. If a car crashes into something else, it get's damaged, not like in your average American crime movie where the most ridiculous turns and jumps are made and they keep on driving like nothing happened. The shooting is realistic, shoot to kill but it's not that easy in all the excitement to hit something. It's the ugly truth about a live gone wrong. You start with feeling for the main character due to the circumstances but soon you'll end up on the other side, detesting his being, but that makes you all the more nailed to your seat to see what happens next. Gangster pure sang, which, of course, meets his end like it supposed to. I won't give anything away as that would take away your experience when you watch the movie, and watch it you must!