Jean-François Richet’s “Mesrine” is a film we’ve been looking forward to all year — or at least it became highly anticipated when it was announced in February that the picture had scored the most nominations for the French Oscars (the Cesars, it ended up winning Best Actor).
Like “Che,” it’s a two-parter biopic that stars Gallic thespian Vincent Cassell (“Irreversible,” the jewel thief in “Ocean’s 12,” Viggo Mortensen’s closeted crime buddy in “Eastern Promises”) as Jacques Mesrine, one of the most notorious criminals in French history. In 1979, Mesrine became infamous and the french public enemy #1 when he kidnapped a French millionaire received a ransom of 6 million francs.
So we have two, two-hour pictures, the first part, “Mesrine: Killer Instinct” and part two, “Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One.” So far there only appears to be a English-Language trailer for part one. Here’s both French posters and here’s the synopsis for part one:
Mesrine: Killer Instinct introduces us to Jacques Mesrine (Vincent Cassel), a loyal son and dedicated soldier back home and living with his parents after serving in the Algerian War. Handsome and charming, he is soon seduced by the neon glamour of Sixties Paris and the easy money it presents. Mentored by Guido (Gerard Depardieu) Mesrine soon moves swiftly up the criminal ladder, choosing the high risk life of a gangster over the honest life of the hard working family. After pulling of an audacious heist he and his lover Jeanne (Cecile de France), flee to Canada where the opportunity of one big payout lures him out of hiding and propels him towards international notoriety.
The picture also stars, Ludivine Sagnier (“Swimming Pool”), Samuel Le Bihan, Mathieu Amalric (the villain in “Quantum Of Solace”) and Cecile de France (the gorgeous star of Claude Miller’s underrated 2008 French film, “Un Secret“). Check the trailer below, it’s a very “rock n’ roll criminal” looking flick, but that just might be to appeal to American audiences drawn to its swagger and bad-ass tone. Empire has a bonus clip from the film today if you’re looking for more and just can’t get enough. No word on a English-language trailer for part two, but we have the French version below. “Mesrine: Killer Instinct hits theaters in limited release on August 28, and “Mesrine: Public Enemy Number One” comes a week later on September 4 according to a publicist for the film. Update: Not sure what’s going on with the picture (though it is Senator Distribution, note, and they were struggling economically), but the publicist now says these dates are now incorrect and the film has no concrete U.S. release dates. Up in limbo? Would be a major bummer. We’ve been dying to see for months.