The Crimson Rivers
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Movie Reviews of The Crimson Rivers
Movie Review: Stunning and atmospheric gothic French "policier"
Summary: 5 Stars
(This review relates to the French special edition release in THX. French title: Les Rivieres Pourpres) From the second the film starts, it is evident that France's Matthieu Kassovitz is more than capable of taking-on Hollywood in directing a stunning gothic chiller complete with a first class THX sound track. A badly mutilated body is found high in the Alps. The local police acquire the help of "special" police investigator, Pierre Niemans (Jean Reno), whose intent becomes not just to discover *who* committed the murder but also *why* it was committed. Simultaneously, a young Arab policeman, Karim Abdouf (played by Vincent Cassel of "La Haine"), living some 200km away is called in to investigate the desecration of a little girl's grave and a local school break-in. Both policeman are drawn slowly to the same potential perpetrator, discover two further murders and uncover a terrifying secret behind the murders. I bought the film yesterday in a French supermarket and I've already watched it three times. The style of the film, the photography and camera-work, the music, the twists and turns of the plot all make this a brilliant film. The actors are perfectly cast, with Jean Reno presenting a softer more thoughtful character than in the book of the same name whilst Vincent Cassel displays the edge of racial anger that was so visible in La Haine. The ending will probably generate a lot of discussion as to what exactly it means but, if the film is released in the same special edition form as in France, the additions on the second disc provide a level of insight rarely seen in other special edition DVDs - and supply that elusive answer! Buy it as soon as it is released!Movie Review: Fabulous over the top fun...
Summary: 5 Stars
This is what movies are really all about! Crimson Rivers is a slick bloody thriller starring international mega stars Vincent Cassel and Jean Reno who make a terrific pairing as cop and investigator who's paths cross while trying to solve a horrific murder. The chemistry between actors is right-on as they team up together digging to uncover a ridiculously wonderful labyrinthine plot in search of the truth.
With it's big budget sleek aesthetic, "Rivers" is absolutely gorgeous to watch; meticulous and cinematic in lush European settings. The plot has a touch of everything including ample doses of horror, noir, cop buddy picture, thriller, etc. but at it's heart it's really a throwback to the European "gialli" of the 60's & 70's; a convoluted spider web whodunit full of twists, turns and red herrings that will leave the viewer guessing until the tail end. All the "giallo" signatures are here: a breathtaking setting (a private college at the base of the Alps), palpable atmosphere layered on thick, gore-a-plenty, the mandatory car chase, a hooded unseen killer, and of course the story itself which won't be disclosed here, but really, the list goes on and on; essentially everything but the kitchen sink is used to good measure.
"Rivers" helped to kick start the French "thriller" renaissance; a strong example of how the French continue to make better thrillers than anyone in the world. This may be a tad too sophisticated for American audiences and those unfamiliar with "gialli" may find this slightly ludicrous. However, for those that want a riveting thrill ride with some serious chills, this is a cadeaux of perfection.
Movie Review: The glacier smells like blood
Summary: 5 Stars
This film was shot in English for the main actors and not dubbed afterwards, or if it was it was by these main actors. That gives them a sort of flat accent, without being French, yet not quite natural. The film is an action film in the Alps, in winter, with breath-taking scenes in the mountains, even an avalanche. The plot itself is simple but at the end only. They keep us in the blue or the dark all along. A French university that was trying to produce the perfect race by manipulating the genes of people by organizing their births and shifting babies around in a maternity to make sure the selection worked. That required quite a lot of planning and secrecy and all of it criminal to the utmost. Till twin survivors of these swamps arrive on campus and start cleaning up the plate and that's when the police comes into the picture. All that is rather simple as I said but with the French art of hiding up the truth as long as possible and transporting us from right to left and dumping us in the middle so that we are finally amazed by the simplicity that we had not seen of course. And the eyes being an essential element in this criminal case we are those who are tickled around the gills. But for a bunch of girls they did a good job at keeping the police at bay and us panting.
Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, University Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, University Paris 8 Saint Denis, University Paris 12 Créteil, CEGID
Movie Review: Thrilling Movie - Great Mountain Scenes
Summary: 5 Stars
The setting for this thriller is the French Alps. I lived and worked at the University of Grenoble for two years, in the heart of the region where the events take place. The dialog and scenary provide a very good representation of the region. The distrust of the locals for the central governemnt in Paris is evident. I was especially amused when one of the characters says "Paris sucks."
The Crimson Rivers is a fast paced action movie complete with car chase and shoot out. It has a surprise ending along the lines of Hitchcock. You do have to suspend disbelief from time to time in order to get into the film. Is it reasonable to think that an aging police commissioner from Paris can rappel into the depths of an Alpine glacier?
The scenes on the mountain are especially stunning. Sunrise over the Alps reminded me of many that I have experienced. I am not sure how I managed to miss this film until now, but I am happy to have discovered it.
Movie Review: French CSI. Not perfect but very entertaining.
Summary: 5 Stars
Crimson Rivers is a beautifully shot, well acted thriller. While many compare it to Silence of the Lambs and Seven; The Crimson Rivers feels more like an episode of CSI. The emphasis is on the crime investigation, not the crime itself. While Seven (which I loved) wallows in gore and filth, The Crimson Rivers focuses on the beauty of the Alpine village Guernon, and contrasts it to the murders taking place therein. In the end The Crimson Rivers could have used a small dose of tension. While there were scenes where the cops played by Reno and Cassell's lives were in grave danger. What was missing was the atmosphere of doom and danger that hung so ominously over greater films like Seven, Jaws, or Marathon Man.
I would give the movie 4.5 stars if it were possible. But I'll give it 5 because of the fantastic acting of Jean Reno and especially Vincent Cassell.