DOBERMANN (1997)

 

Directed By: Jan Kounen

Written By: Joel Houssin

Cinematography: Michael Amathieu

Editor: Benedict Brunet and Eric Carlier

Cast: Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci, Tcheky Karyo, Romain Duris, Antoine Basler, Dominique Bettenfeld, Francois Levental, Ivan Marat-Barboft, Pascal Demolon, Marc Duret, 

The charismatic criminal Dobermann, who got his first gun when he was christened, leads a gang of brutal robbers. After a complex and brutal bank robbery, they are being hunted by the Paris police. The hunt is led by the sadistic cop Christini, who only has one goal: to catch Dobermann at any cost.

This film is definitely a byproduct of the 1990's. It had plenty of energy and played like a hyper-Tarantino crime tale with way more action. That seems like it retains a villain more over the top than the anti-heroes.

Actually, it plays more for an audience who loves Writer-Director Quentin Tarantino's films that take too long and are too slow to get to the action. Even though this film builds over its running time to a big climax filled with tension. 

The film feels like it is on drugs at the speed it goes through and lacks certain details. It feels cruel in a sense yet tries to be fun In other ways.

Tchkey Karyo is way over the top and means just to be. Think Gary Oldman in THE PROFESSIONAL, but miles past him in strangeness and chewing scenery.

Though that is the main problem of the movie is that there seems to be a lack of motivation or explanation for most of the characters or much of the action. Half the time it seems random or as a result of an extension of a character.

As it is based on a graphic novel, maybe it is better explained in the source material. As here it seems to be a greatest hits quality. That plays exactly like a comic book in feel and texture. Even though the supporting characters are quirky and have their defects. They carry the film over more. As the leads seem there more to look cool.

While it’s nice to see Vincent Cassel and then wife Monica Belluci together and in love on screen. Even Belluci seems to do more acting than Cassel here as he seems more to be the lead and there to look cool and be a mastermind over all else.

 it feels like a down-and-dirty popcorn movie. That would have gone even further in popularity if it had a better soundtrack. 

It’s a film that is a nice try as it is stylish all over the place, but once you get over it. There isn’t much there except to wonder. If the director had better material would this be much better? 

Grade: C