This film is wonderfully acted. It is an emotionally violent and physically violent portrayal of a man who was exceptional in his approach to his chosen profession of being a career criminal. If the actions in this film were not known to be based on fact then they would appear to be too incredible. Gangster films should be extreme and violent and this film delivers by introducing a physiological element to the portrayal of the central character and his associates. The question that intrigued me most was how did this man manage to live so radically in opposition to the moral compass of his time. It appears quite easily. Like the chainsaw scene in Scarface it begins with Mesrine becoming desensitized to violence, torture and murder while serving as a solider and this might be seen as a trigger to the path he chose. Jodorowsky once stated in relation to films," I love violence". It would be ridiculous to make a film about Mesrine without trying to show realistically how the ability to embrace violence is integral to a gangsters life. Mesrine is not a film that blithely attempts to create an anti-hero instead it charters the life of this man in a warts and all portrayal. However it also shows that a violent person can be charming and charismatic in equal measure. From the cradle to the grave this man's life was extreme. In life and certainly in film one of the greatest tragedies in life is if someone is boring. Many things can be levelled at Mesrine but having lived a dull life is not one of them. His life makes a cracking film. If everyone acted like Mesrine society would cease to exist.How do I like my bank robbers? Violent, resourceful and ruthless. Mesrine is almost a criminal version of James Bond. A man who can murder, who is cold blooded in any physical confrontation and who has an eye for the ladies. That Mesrine gave interviews about his lifestyle and attempted to justify his actions is fascinating. I am slightly saddened that such a good film does not rate more highly. I would attribute this solely to the fact that it is subtitled for those who do not speak French.
Review of Mesrine: Killer Instinct
