The Crimson Rivers
Directed by:
Mathieu KassovitzCinematography:
Thierry ArbogastComposer:
Bruno CoulaisCast:
Jean Reno, Vincent Cassel, Nadia Fares, Dominique Sanda, Karim Belkhadra, Jean-Pierre Cassel, Didier Flamand, François Levantal, Francine Bergé (more)Plots(1)
When Commissaire Pierre Niemans (Jean Reno), France’s leading serial killer investigator, is called to investigate a grisly murder, he enters a world of secrets, lies and unthinkable horrors. The dead, whose hands and eyes have been removed, are clues to a terrible tradition the killer can no longer bear. Each murder means something more; each victim, a guilty conspirator in a grand immoral experiment. Filled with blood-chilling suspense, twisted turns and breathtaking locations, this tense thriller has the style, action and intelligence to keep you wondering what’s really happening right up until the shocking conclusion. (Via Vision Entertainment)
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Reviews (10)
I like the way the film works. The plot is clever and keeps you in suspense; there are shocking scenes, scenes that can really scare you. Neimans's fear of dogs is an interesting touch and makes the detective a human legend with flaws after all. What spoils the film is the somewhat rushed ending that relies too heavily on the point, to which some viewers will probably say: "Really? This again?" It might not sit well with everyone, but the film builds up to the finale correctly and is gripping in the way it should be.
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Kassovitz successfully conveys the dark atmosphere, and Reno and Cassel are charismatic enough to pull the whole film off just fine. But there are some moments, or rather, entire scenes that are so blatantly ripped-off of Se7en that it’s almost embarrassing. The ending is also contrived and full of clichés. It’s a pity, without that it would have been a very good thriller.
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A perfectly dark atmosphere that can only be maintained until the evidence starts to emerge. Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel are great on their own, but even the chase with the killer through the apartment really tests your nerves. And yet as it starts to incorporate all the mystery elements everything starts to creak and groain, and after the snowy finale you end up with a bitter taste in your mouth.
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The first installment of a loose trilogy of crime thrillers associated with Jean Reno as an investigator of brutal crimes is still a relatively decent film, though the weaknesses that sank the following two sequels are already apparent. The screenplay is underdeveloped and clearly prioritizes flashy visuals and shocking revelations over logical consistency, taking evident inspiration from successful American thrillers, notably Se7en. The attempt to emulate Fincher's directorial style is evident in several specific scenes. The result is an uneven film with an awkward ending, but it still has several audience-appealing moments and a dark, though inconsistent, atmosphere. Overall impression: 55%.
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An enjoyable old-school detective film. It may not surprise today, but it must have been shocking at the time. It evokes Se7en, so there's no shortage of morbid murders, the idea and motive of the killer are also quite unorthodox and pleasing. And when you add in the excellent shots in the mountains and the overall setting, plus a fine Jean Reno, it's a winner. It won't wow you, but it's just a good watch.
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