Vidocq (2007)

That was an excellent one.

Let's be realistic.

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Recently I decided to give "Vidocq" another watch. It's probably already the third or fourth time I watched this movie and I enjoyed it again, even if you have to say that knowing the final plot twist takes away some of the suspense. On the other hand, it also makes you more curious to spot little hints about who the enemy here really is. And Depardieu isn't getting boring anyway, truly talented actor."Vidocq" is director Pitof's debut movie, a very dark and atmospheric effort. Sadly, "Catwoman" starring Halle Berry killed Pitof's career only three years after "Vidocq" already. Here the writer from "The Crimson Rivers" worked with Pitof on the script and one of the most interesting snippets about this film is that Vidocq really existed and this movie is based on his memoirs.Don't read more if you want to avoid spoilers: Looking at the indicators that proved that Canet's character was the actual killer following Vidocq's traces, the first you may think of is his strong, almost obsessed dedication. You could see how he gets in the door when Vidocq's colleague early on tries to get rid of him. He isn't even scared by violence. Another would be that the people he visited keep dying right when he allegedly left. And finally, almost before we find out the truth, we see Canet's character scared that somebody may have seen the face of the killer and the very moment the witness says he could not see the face, Canet's character lets everybody see his face now that he is safe. Or thinks he is. However, when I saw the film for the first time, i have to say that the final twist came as a huge surprise to me.This is a very creative crime thriller with a touch of supernatural horror. Depardieu is usually a very physical actor and he makes it work here very well, even if he is only seen in flashbacks as it seems he was killed early on. The final scene with Depardieu so eager to see the corpse that disappeared in the water almost gives room for a sequel, which never happened though. Canet, by now is one of the most established French actors (apart from being Marion Cotillard's partner from a long time, the lucky bastard) and it is fun to see him in his very early years. Inés Sastre, who plays the main female part, did not add too much for me except good looks. It's not really her acting that's the problem, more that I did not see big purpose in her character. Especially towards the end, it seems really random when she appears out of nowhere with Vidocq's partner, but has literally no impact in the final scenes. Apocalyptica's "Hope" in the closing credits is a nice song that fits the tone of the film very well.As a whole, Vidocq is a great movie that would also have worked (maybe even better) without the fantasy/supernatural factor to it. I recommend giving it a look. I think also mainstream audiences can enjoy it and it is not as aimed exclusively at lovers of "Cinéma francais" as most French films are these days.

Along with "Le pacte des Loups", "Vidocq" can be spotted as the beginning of a french invasion in horror and fantastic genre. Viewing it 6 years after its first presentation on-screen, when French cinema has now produced such chillers as Haute Tension or L'intérieur, its easy to be impressed with the path the genre seems to follow in this most improbable country... Although Horror french movies are not ALL good, "Vidocq" is a prime example of a good and original piece of work coming from Moliere's land (and you should also pay close attention to the other movies named above...).While the story behind this gorgeous movie (every single frame is a "tableau") is pretty simple, there is much to love in this flick. All actors are quite good and every single characters is so well defined that, even with few words, the viewers can be delighted with their playing (Dussolier is especially good...). Costumes and settings are part of the fun here: with digital effects used with overwhelming intensity, Pitof have created a world that tap easily in our Gothic sensibility, yet the few historical events (the tensions between the people and the government is somehow palpable though we don't see much of it: it creates an ambiance of decadence that permeates every scenes) depicted here and there help keeping a strange aura of reality to this very improbable story... As I said: its clearly part of the fun...As the aforementioned simple story told before, Pitof edited his movie in a very energetic way, the scenes flowing easily from present to past and thus maintaining the viewer's interest. It helps that it begins with a Bang: the titular character being killed by the criminal (and what a criminal!) he is after in an industrial setting that could be hell (it simply have to be seen...). After that, a journalist, stating that he is Vidocq's official biograph, is searching for the truth: what happened to Vidocq and who killed him... And thus begin the darkest ride into the darkest sides of Paris ever filmed... with a satisfying punch in the end... This ending is good in a way that make the movie interesting to watch again in the lights of this very last information. Another interesting point: the story of Vidocq and his colleague Nimier, being told during the opening credit: keep your eyes open to read every newspaper's titles that goes here and there among the artisan's of this movie and you will have a complete fleshed out background for those characters...All and all, a very good and deliciously dark flick that would satisfy those weary of the mainstream horror cinema... This is not a film to read about. To fully experienced it, you have to see it... Believe me!

I saw this a few years back when it hit the cinema in France and thought that overall it was not a bad attempt at a Gothic horror/thriller (a genre I like). Initially I found the digital footage a little off putting but settled into the "look" eventually and ended up really liking it. So, OK, it's not high art French cinema but surely that's not a reason to dislike it? I have to say I was surprised to find so many reviews here because I heard nothing of this movie after the French release, which surprised me (especially as that movie Brotherhood of the Wolf was doing the rounds, which I thought was a pile of s**t in comparison). Also, 28 Days Later appeared not long after this, touting a similar digital look (but i thought that movie seriously sucked also). In conclusion, if, like me, you disliked the movies mentioned, maybe you will like Vidocq. I think, that in time, it will possibly gain cult status . What do you think?

I thought that this movie could be very different from over the top American movies because it's french. Well i was a bit disappointed, because it's just too much over the top. The special effects are twice as beautiful than in American movies, this movie is just painting or an art in its own. Every scene is like an advertisement in television, and visually very intense and demanding to follow. Colours are vivid and they create a certain atmosphere.But what this movie succeeds in the visual side, it lacks in the deepness and in the story. The characters seem too shallow, the dialogue is very superficial from time to time. However when you adjust to the movie's different approach you can get a hold of it.I'm pretty puzzled over the fact that this movie has unnecessary action scenes. Really! It'd been more efficient if the bad guy with the mask had had a discussion with Vidocq than unrealistic fighting which we viewers are very accustomed to. Of course there should be fights, but this movie tries to be in the horror and action genre and it's just too lame because it'd been done too many times before.It's so much harder to make good and impressive dialogues between the bad guy and the hero than just generic fighting with special effects.This movie clearly isn't a horror movie, it's fantasy and thriller.I enjoyed this movie because of it's new approach to the visual side, it looks like a computer game. It's a pretty good and impressive movie if you don't analyze it all the time. "Plenty of cakes are beautiful from the surface.", i just can't avoid the feeling that this movie is just way too shallow.