Directed By: Michiel Blanchart
Written By: Michiel Blanchart, Gilles Marchand and Laurent Brandenbourger
Cinematography: Sylvestre Vannoorenberghe
Editor: Matthieu Jamet
Cast: Joanthan Feltre, Natacha Krief, Jonas Bloquet, Romain Duris, Thomas Mustin, Sam Louwyck, Nabil Mahat
This night is like all the others for Mady, student by day, locksmith by night. But Claire, the enigmatic young girl he helps out that night, is not who she claims to be. Mady has only one night to prove his innocence in a city in turmoil.
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This is a film I pretty much went in blind and so happy I did. As this film stays lively throughout.
This is one of those films and thrillers where it takes place all In One evening that seems endless. As a character had until dawn to get themselves out of trouble or else they are doomed. It is an International release from Belgium. Where you can recognize some of it’s Influences.
The film offers the usual double crosses. Not truly being able to trust anybody. The cops are vicious as the criminals. So where do you turn.
The film also has the chaos of a Black Lives Matter protest with people and police filling the streets, as a background that they are operating in. Which are some of the elements that keep it from playing basic or typical. Truly the only innocent character is the lead who is desperately trying to get out of trouble. Though even he gets some blood on his hands. It also helps that the pace is rushed but doesn’t feel that way. it's heart is always beating fast, but perfectly timed.
It also helps that the lead is African American who is being hunted and preyed upon by all these Caucasian characters throughout, which works as symbolism. As they are hunting and exploiting him, while he is the true innocent.
It’s so exciting and well put together. Offering very little fat. So that it stays quite lean and keeps moving. No time for side stories or any romance that might be hinted at in the beginning. it’s shocking that it was the directorial debut of Michiel Blanchart
One thing I appreciated about this film is that it isn’t sentimental at all. It is rough and tough, dog eat dog. No last minute acts of mercy.
It also stays gritty And believable. As the cast is newcomers and unrecognizable from any previous roles except for Romain Duris as the big bad. Not to mention a henchmen who looks like a scarily tough version of Jesse Eisenberg
if anything by the end you are left with some questions. As you know for the most part what happened, but you care so much you want to know what is next for the characters. Which shows that the film has grabbed you. Though to keep up it’s tough skin it stays a bit ambiguous.
Grade: B-
