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Written by Kristy Puchko, September 20, 2010 at 9:00 am 

Previously, Raffi posted his review of Mesrine: Killer Instinct, the first of a two-part film series. This weekend I saw both films with plans to review the latter, but having seen both, it’s difficult to discuss them as two separate entities.

While the first film is a fast-paced gangster flick in the vein of Goodfellas, the latter is a wandering exploration of the criminal’s downfall. Basically, in classic screenplay structure – the first film ends at the plot’s midpoint. The result is that the films feel hatcheted in two with a roughly hewn book-ending device that ultimately dulls the tension of the second film’s climax.

Having said that, Mesrine is a deeply compelling look into the mind of a criminal genius that follows the notorious Jacques Mesrine from debonair gangster to deluded revolutionary.

Mesrine was a controversial figure to the people of France. As the marketing boasts: “To some he was a gangster, to others a hero. But to everyone, he was a legend.” Much like our own John Dillinger, his crimes were horrific but his charisma was blinding.

The films run through the ’50s to the ’70s, positing his crimes against a growing sense of revolution, resulting in a perfect storm for this “man of a thousand faces” to become an icon. Adding to the atmosphere of hype and circumstance is that much of the film(s) is said to be based on Mesrine’s own autobiography, which the film allows may not be all true – but what do audiences really want? Truth  – or action, Action, ACTION!

Killer Instinct is jauntily paced, but Public Enemy #1 drags as Mesrine begins to revel in his rock star status. He pontificates and pleads he’s a revolutionary to any who will listen. His ego swells, as does his waistline. While interesting, it’s not as fun or exciting as the first half of the story. By part 2, Mesrine is a bit of a bloated boor who is becoming dangerously full of himself. It’s a great tale, but I found myself re-cutting it in my head to convert the two uneven films into one engaging and well-paced three-hour picture.

Regardless of these issues, both films are worth a watch, full as they are of gritty action and enveloping performances. Brutal and thrilling with an ever-present sense of danger, the films are bolstered by a stellar supporting cast that includes: Cécile De France (High Tension), Gérard Depardieu (La Vie En Rose), Ludivine Sagnier (Swimming Pool), and Mathieu Amalric (The Diving Bell and the Butterfly).

But the real showstopper is Vincent Cassel, who plays Mesrine with such charisma and sex appeal you root for him even when you loathe his actions. Honestly, Cassel’s portrayal rivals Ray Liotta’s in Goodfellas and James Cagney’s in The Public Enemy. (Know that this is not a comparison I throw down lightly.) Ultimately, if you like gangster movies, Mesrine is a must-see.

Mesrine: Killer Instinct (Part One) – 8 out of 10

Mesrine: Public Enemy #1 (Part Two) – 6 out of 10