VIDOCQ (3+ outta 5 stars) Visually impressive mystery/thriller taking place in France around the time of the French Revolution. Gerard Depardieu plays the title character, Vidocq, a brilliant criminologist who is on the trail of a mysterious caped villain who wears a mirrored mask. In the opening scene the villain knocks Vidocq into a fit of fire and a young journalist (Guillame Canet),who is writing a biography of Vidocq, traces the great detective's last steps to bring the mysterious caped figure to justice. So we get flashbacks to Vidocq's investigation inter-cut with the writer's search. Depardieu makes for an interesting hero... sort of a cross between Sherlock Holmes and a professional wrestler. (You rarely saw Holmes pick up a villain and hurl him across a room.) The computerized special effects look a lot better in this movie than they do in some bigger-budgeted Hollywood movies... the backgrounds all have a veneer of unreality about them and yet they are still convincing. The conclusion is not much of a surprise but the discovery of the villain's identity is still pretty satisfying.
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hokeybutt29 December 2004
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Scarecrow-8813 February 2007We watch in the opening of the film a detective named Vidocq(Gérard Depardieu)in battle with what appears to be a supernatural being with a glass framed face buried within a black cloak. It looks as if Vidocq fell to his doom in a fire-pit in the guts of a glassworks factory. His "biographer" Etienne(Guillaume Canet)wishes to pursue his hero's case and the film follows him from lead to lead learning about the killer called The Alchemist who is a mythic ghost whose glass face is said to steal the souls of victims. How Vidocq took the case was through a Chief of Police trying to figure out how three prominent members of Paris society wound up dead, two of them being burnt by lightning(the two who are actually burnt are an arms dealer and chemist). We find as Etienne dig deeper and deeper that these three only had love in their hearts for themselves and would do anything to preserve their youth..even making a deal with The Alchemist by supplying him pure virgins from poor families they pay so that they can receive a serum for not aging. All this revolves around a tumultuous political climate(..which might become an upheaval)as King Charles is threatening the suppression of the press and dissolving of parliament. Also, Paris in 1830 is quite a lurid, perverse place where any vice of anyone with wealthy means could be satisfied. We see this as Etienne continues on his journey to find answers to Vidocq's demise.
Director Pitof's in-your-face style may be jarring or unnerving for some viewers because the camera suffocatingly closes in on the actors faces. We get all close and personal even with the ugly sorts with rotted teeth or vile expressions. The film's special effects almost look purposely unrealistic and surreal creating a Paris so bizarre it's almost otherworldly. The Alchemist is quite a creation as he can do so many acrobatic and supernatural things. Another thing I found stunning was how Pitof's camera moves. It rotates around, following the characters and action. Pitof also likes his camera shooting upward from the ground. We rarely see a simply, ordinary shot of characters..everything seems unorthodox and unusual. And, the twist that comes at the end turns your usual detective story on it's head. I certainly didn't see it coming. -
o_cedar16 December 2003I really wasn't ready to enjoy "Vidocq" having heard a friend of mine telling me he felt like throwing up in the middle of the movie, due to the peculiar camera angles and motion. But having some time to lose while waking up in front of TV, why not take a look?
And I was really taken in that old-Paris atmosphere, which I found strangely bewitching... I did not find the special FX better than in other big budget movies, but "different", finally something original, kind of an nightmarish, apocalyptic surrounding... The storyline had some nice parts to it, but we could have had more. Depardieu was pretty good, Dussollier as well, as opposed to a dreadful Guillaume Canet...
Overall, an interesting movie, with pluses and minuses, I was glad to see it but I won't buy the DVD.... 6/10 -
This French film was much criticized for wasting it´s visuals in just an action adventure story wich i think its the most unffair thing it can be said on such a masterpiece like this. When an action movie has an empty plot, evcerybody complains, when it has a good plot everybody says it should have been better and not waste its potential. Are you critics nuts ?!! Some attack this movie claiming that its nothing like french a Matrix wannabe. Well i wish Matrix had been such a good movie and had such a good story as VIDOCQ has. And if this is just an imitation, i want a sequel ! As for the Sony Camera style, well it was filmed with one, what do you expect ?! Is that a bad thing ?! It made me want to go out and buy one just to try and make a movie like this. And those closeups look great and realy show how the personalities of some of the characters are distorted and nuts. Brilliant editing also.
I loved the story, the actors and graphicaly is one of the most inovative movies ive seen in recent years. It was not an expensive production, but looks better than most of Hollyood Blockbusters of the last 20 years at least. The genius of this movie is in actualy making us believe that much more money was spent on it than what actualy was. This is the proof you don´t need a big budget to make a big film. All it takes is imagination.
Visualy it couldn´t have been better. The settings are amazing, the computer graphics blend in and add to the visual feel and the atmosphere is incredible. Great action sequences, great mistery and great characters. Above all an original concept wich is something that Hollywood can´t say that it has nowadays.
I´ve loved this movie so much that i bought it from the French Amazon store just a couple of hours ago and i only saw it at the theater last night. It´s a double dvd edition and it has plenty of extra material and i can´t wait to get my hands on it.
One of the best European "fantasy" movies since La Citée des Enfants Perdus and another great french movie. French cinema nowadays has been a great alternative from Hollywood crap. Merci French guys ! :) After seeing such crap as the latest Arnie Shwarzenneger movie its great to have a REAL GOOD movie to watch and see how real cinema should be. Hollywood take notes. No, realy. Take notes, this is how you make a very interesting action movie with style but also with substance.
VIDOCQ is a true masterpiece. More please ! -
Horst_In_Translation12 December 2014Recently I decided to give "Vidocq" another watch. It's probably already the third or fourth time I watched this movie and I enjoyed it again, even if you have to say that knowing the final plot twist takes away some of the suspense. On the other hand, it also makes you more curious to spot little hints about who the enemy here really is. And Depardieu isn't getting boring anyway, truly talented actor.
"Vidocq" is director Pitof's debut movie, a very dark and atmospheric effort. Sadly, "Catwoman" starring Halle Berry killed Pitof's career only three years after "Vidocq" already. Here the writer from "The Crimson Rivers" worked with Pitof on the script and one of the most interesting snippets about this film is that Vidocq really existed and this movie is based on his memoirs.
Don't read more if you want to avoid spoilers: Looking at the indicators that proved that Canet's character was the actual killer following Vidocq's traces, the first you may think of is his strong, almost obsessed dedication. You could see how he gets in the door when Vidocq's colleague early on tries to get rid of him. He isn't even scared by violence. Another would be that the people he visited keep dying right when he allegedly left. And finally, almost before we find out the truth, we see Canet's character scared that somebody may have seen the face of the killer and the very moment the witness says he could not see the face, Canet's character lets everybody see his face now that he is safe. Or thinks he is. However, when I saw the film for the first time, i have to say that the final twist came as a huge surprise to me.
This is a very creative crime thriller with a touch of supernatural horror. Depardieu is usually a very physical actor and he makes it work here very well, even if he is only seen in flashbacks as it seems he was killed early on. The final scene with Depardieu so eager to see the corpse that disappeared in the water almost gives room for a sequel, which never happened though. Canet, by now is one of the most established French actors (apart from being Marion Cotillard's partner from a long time, the lucky bastard) and it is fun to see him in his very early years. Inés Sastre, who plays the main female part, did not add too much for me except good looks. It's not really her acting that's the problem, more that I did not see big purpose in her character. Especially towards the end, it seems really random when she appears out of nowhere with Vidocq's partner, but has literally no impact in the final scenes. Apocalyptica's "Hope" in the closing credits is a nice song that fits the tone of the film very well.
As a whole, Vidocq is a great movie that would also have worked (maybe even better) without the fantasy/supernatural factor to it. I recommend giving it a look. I think also mainstream audiences can enjoy it and it is not as aimed exclusively at lovers of "Cinéma francais" as most French films are these days. -
Yet another "Galliwood" movie, with all the typical French pluses and minuses. On the plus side, it is more original than most Hollywood movies: I particularly like the spectacular, original and surrealistic photography (powerfully blended with digital computer animation). On the negative side, the story is perhaps a bit dull and incoherent; though it is still more inventive than most stories from the same genre. In overall, this is an enjoyable piece. It would deserve much more attention (and financial success) than it actually receives, but "Galliwood" suffers from the lack of effective marketing infrastructure.
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Quebec_Dragon30 November 2011It takes place in 1830 in Paris. Vidocq is the name of the main character who's based on an actual French historical figure that's considered one of the pioneers of scientific police (think CSI). He's played by probably the most famous French actor living today: Gérard Depardieu. Rather originally, the title character dies in the first 5 minutes of the film. The rest of the story alternates between the investigation of a journalist retracing Vidocq's steps and flashbacks of Vidocq's last case. The original screenplay was written by best-selling French mystery writer, Jean-Christophe Grangé. It was his first original screenplay, and he says it will be his last, and not because he wasn't happy with it. This last case of Vidocq involves the murder of notables by lightning strike. The journalist's investigation takes us from person to person in a rather linear fashion. The investigation itself is not particularly gripping, but there are a couple of big twists at the end. The "bad guy" sports a very cool mirror mask. The fantastical elements originate from the mirror mask person, not everything is real or scientifically explained.
The special effects in general, with a couple of exceptions, are pretty well done, particularly the mask's reflections. It's apparently the first commercial feature film made completely with a digital camera (as opposed to a camera with film). This means that the picture quality, at the time, was crisper than usual, also giving it an unusual look. Lots of work has been done on lighting and colours. The colours are very vivid and favour the colours red, yellow and green. The decors are a mix of real life and digital trickery, they usually look very good and unlike your standard American films. Despite taking place in the 19th century, the editing is modern and very fast, with lots of very quick close-ups. I personally didn't like that style of frenetic cutting because the cuts often seemed unnecessary and made things either less involving or a little harder to assimilate. The characters seemed a bit on the shallow side to me, but then it's more about action, mystery and suspense with a touch of fantastical. Vidocq was compared to the film Seven but in 1830. It's nowhere near as good in any regard, except perhaps for visual style, very different anyway.
The director, Pitof, was a special effects supervisor for most of his career (City of Lost Children, Alien IV) and his following project was directing the infamous Catwoman. It's likely he got that job because of Vidocq. I find that the director Pitof is not very good at telling a story, has trouble with pacing and making us care about the characters. Vidocq is worth renting (or buying cheap) for the spiffy visuals alone. Overall, the movie is not bad but not memorable either. It's likely that a more talented director (Burton, Fincher, Jeunet, etc) with the same material could have done a lot better.
Rating: 6 out of 10 (Good) P.S. There are no portals, dark or otherwise. -
Rene-621 September 2001The special effects are great, the story interesting. I am bothered however by the quality of the picture. Especially the close-ups look like home video. It looks like they're done with a Sony Handycam. This new technique does not yet replace real film, as it looks mostly ugly. Hope George Lucas does not make too many close-ups, it looks really bad.
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LaFeeChartreuse3 November 2004This film is visually stunning - it's almost like watching a painting in motion. Everything about the visuals, from the sets to the costumes to the lighting to the camera angles, contributes to a surreal and rather otherwordly, while still dark and gritty, atmosphere - somewhat evocative of Gormenghast.
The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you constantly guessing, and frequently confused: Is Vidocq dead, or alive? Were the murdered men victims, or villains? Or pawns in something larger? Are we looking for a mad scientist, or an urban legend brought to life? Is the political unrest in Paris related to the case, or just a backdrop for it? It borrows elements from both science fiction and fantasy as well as being rooted in the detective genre.
Now, I probably have a higher than average liking for twisted, fantastic, genre-bending movies that make one's brain hurt, but even so, there were some serious holes in the plot, or at least things that never really were well explained. So viewers who place a high priority on logic and consistency may find it a frustrating experience. But overall I very much enjoyed it, and some of the visuals will be with me for a long, long time. -
lastliberal22 March 2008If you are looking for a great story, look elsewhere, as this has just the thinnest of story to accompany fantastic visuals.
The is the first feature-length film worldwide to be shot with hi-def cameras. It is a visual stunner with visual effects by Pascal Giroux (The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc). The film itself is fast, due to the frantic editing, and sometimes hard to follow, but a treat to experience 1830s Paris with opium dens, drugged virgins piled on top of one another, and offices and laboratories of a scale and complexity that boggle the imagination.
It is based upon a true French detective, who was the model for more famous detectives, and involves the hunt for a masked martial arts master that apparently sucks in the souls of it's victims. The is, apparently, basis for this type of monster in Japanese folklore.
The ending is just incredible and, like the entire film, a visual treat, but the story will leave you unsatisfied. -
When I heard that Pitof, who's been responsible for the special effects in the Jeunet (& Caro) team, was making a movie, I couldn't wait.
What a disappointment! He didn't make a movie, he made a gigantic trailer for a video game. Almost funny in its stupidity. No pace, no direction, no nothing, just "cool" visual stuff (I didn't find it cool personally). The acting is awful, seems like the actors didn't ever rehearse, just read the dialogues and go shooting. Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy making. They probably spent a week filming for 3 months of post-production.
There is no substance whatsoever in this flick, it's just another demonstration of poor taste and a desperate attempt at being trendy and make big money. I guess it's sort of entertaining for teenagers fed on 3D games, but it's nothing more than that.
Even the special effects were terrible in places...I can't believe it.
To the dustbin of cinema history! -
dbborroughs1 May 2004The story takes place in 1830's France. As Paris teeters on the verge of revolt, the country's greatest detective is in pursuit of a masked villain. The pursuit turns deadly and Vidocq, the detective, is killed. Now its up to his biographer to piece together what happened and avenge the murder of his idol.
You'll either love this or hate it, since a good chunk of this movie is based on its flashy visual style. I tend to hate that sort of thing, but for me there was enough of a plot to keep me interested and enthralled to the end.Yes there are some cliched twists, but I didn't care the movie just moved me along with some wonderful bits. It was only at the end that I was left wanting, probably because there was too much in the way of the plot that wasn't addressed before the credits rolled. I wish we had gotten a tad more meat. Still its worth a shot.
Eight out of Ten -
Efenstor10 January 2005Truly the quintessence of Gothic belles-lettres of the end of XIX/beginning of XX century characterized by the abnormal addiction to dark mysticism mixed with cruel and extravagant crimes. The whole mood of "Vidocq" is very similar to the famous book "Chants of Maldoror" which celebrates meaningless cruelty and perversions in half-mystical poetic form. The film doesn't try to make you to believe in evil but actually teaches you to fear it just as all these half-forgotten Gothic writers did.
The visual manner of "Vidocq" is very extravagant and nearly surrealistic, the mood of the film is amazingly dark, even much darker than many clearly horror movies, still it's not horror despite of the plenty of bloody and thrilling scenes. The sun never shines from the screen, the heavy clouds are just everywhere. There are not too many films made in such avant-garde style and no wonder -- they are like certain flowers -- attractive but stink. "Vidocq" is a masterpiece but not for everyone, just like paintings of Salvador Dali.
The plot is not very original, reminiscent of a grotesque version of some Fantomas book with the only difference that the villain is finally being unveiled and punished. The scene in the villain's lair is very impressive, though the most sickening. And of course, as the genre demands, there is a some chance for a sequel left in the closing scene. I personally dislike all the esoteric "energy" stuff, though it's depicted rather impressive. This also film contains some adult visuals too, though rather modest but still somewhat limiting its auditory.
Artistically perfect but 7/10 because of the exceeding murkiness, it's amount is nearly immoral. -
HotToastyRag1 August 2019Want to see Gérard Depardieu in a steampunk action fantasy? Then you'll want to watch Dark Portals: The Chronicles of Vidocq. It's a bit weird, but lots of foreign movies are weird, just as I'm sure lots of American movies are weird to non-Americans.
If you're into the fantasy genre, you've probably seen lots of movies like this. A mysterious killer who never allows anyone to see his face. The hero killed off in the first five minutes, falling into a fiery pit and leaving the other characters the rest of the running time to solve his murder. That old strudel. This isn't my usual film fare, but I'll watch literally anything with Gérard in it, so the scenes he was in were worth it.
DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. Be on the lookout for swirling cameras that will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!" -
FilmFlaneur14 April 2003Vidocq is directed by the singular Pitof, who has worked with Jean-Pierre Jeunet on such films as Alien Resurrection and the superior City of Lost Children. Depardieu stars (his 116th film!) in a striking tale of 1830's supernatural murder, set in Paris which would make an excellent double bill with From Hell. Vidocq was a real historical personage, and a genuine founder of modern French criminology - though this is a highly fictionalised part of a part of his life, inspired by the 'orrible crimes of contemporary penny dreadfuls and the likes of Spring Heeled Jack, than by any real facts. The film is shot entirely on high quality video and so visually it is completely different to a regular film. The sometimes disconcerting loss of depth of field brought by the format is compensated for by an immediacy and high impact in close ups, as well as an amazing (and presumably inexpensive), flexibility in shots and special effects. Watching it I was reminded of what a BBC costume drama would be like on acid, and could also see indebtedness to Phantom of the Opera, Sherlock Holmes and perhaps Blade... All in all I thought this the best French fantasy I have seen since Brotherhood of the Wolf - admittedly a small field, especially if one draws a veil over the dismal Belphagor: Phantom of the Louvre. Worth seeing if you like your fantasy dark, Gallic and hectic. A notable credit in the art department on Vidocq is Marc Caro (another Jeunet collaborator), who creates a convincing and claustrophobic world of political upheaval, crowded streets, menacing glass works and a range of grotesques. Some great scenes, EG the two men set on fire by lightning bolts set to the elegant music of Vivaldi, while the three or four main fight scenes are handled excitingly. Vidocq is such a strong character that this film cries out for a sequel. But Pitof is now apparently working on Catwoman, and going by this, his is a stylish, if rather in your face, talent. The HK DVD is excellent, although there are occasional glitches in the subtitles.
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digimatic9 December 2006I saw this a few years back when it hit the cinema in France and thought that overall it was not a bad attempt at a Gothic horror/thriller (a genre I like). Initially I found the digital footage a little off putting but settled into the "look" eventually and ended up really liking it. So, OK, it's not high art French cinema but surely that's not a reason to dislike it? I have to say I was surprised to find so many reviews here because I heard nothing of this movie after the French release, which surprised me (especially as that movie Brotherhood of the Wolf was doing the rounds, which I thought was a pile of s**t in comparison). Also, 28 Days Later appeared not long after this, touting a similar digital look (but i thought that movie seriously sucked also). In conclusion, if, like me, you disliked the movies mentioned, maybe you will like Vidocq. I think, that in time, it will possibly gain cult status . What do you think?
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gridoon13 April 2003"Vidocq" is undeniably a technically innovative film, however "innovative" doesn't always equal "good". Pitof's film is rushed and frenetic, with a (digital) camera that refuses to stand still for more than two seconds. This has an unfortunate effect; the human (i.e., the viewer's) eye doesn't have enough time to appreciate the effort (and the money) put into one scene, because before you can see everything clearly the film has moved on to the next scene. This makes the film look like nothing more than an expensive video game at times. It's a pity, too, because the film has one of the most staggering plot twists I've ever seen at the end of it, which suggests that there WAS a good script buried there somewhere, under all those impressive visuals. (**1/2)
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I thought that this movie could be very different from over the top American movies because it's french. Well i was a bit disappointed, because it's just too much over the top. The special effects are twice as beautiful than in American movies, this movie is just painting or an art in its own. Every scene is like an advertisement in television, and visually very intense and demanding to follow. Colours are vivid and they create a certain atmosphere.
But what this movie succeeds in the visual side, it lacks in the deepness and in the story. The characters seem too shallow, the dialogue is very superficial from time to time. However when you adjust to the movie's different approach you can get a hold of it.
I'm pretty puzzled over the fact that this movie has unnecessary action scenes. Really! It'd been more efficient if the bad guy with the mask had had a discussion with Vidocq than unrealistic fighting which we viewers are very accustomed to. Of course there should be fights, but this movie tries to be in the horror and action genre and it's just too lame because it'd been done too many times before.
It's so much harder to make good and impressive dialogues between the bad guy and the hero than just generic fighting with special effects.
This movie clearly isn't a horror movie, it's fantasy and thriller.
I enjoyed this movie because of it's new approach to the visual side, it looks like a computer game. It's a pretty good and impressive movie if you don't analyze it all the time. "Plenty of cakes are beautiful from the surface.", i just can't avoid the feeling that this movie is just way too shallow. -
pam_koertshuis28 April 2002As you are watching you can see there is something really odd
about this movie, the way it's filmed (not only the way the sky
looks etc, that's obviously not realistic). Still, it's a very intense movie to watch. I thought the camera work was refreshing, but I didn't like the story much. -
tamaki_ca2 April 2002"Vidocq is dead!"
Thus opens Vidocq, an amazing film directed by Pitof, from a script based on Jean-Christophe Grangé's original and hard-hitting story, The Purple Rivers. In this film, legendary real-life convict-turned-detective François Vidocq, (Gérard Depardieu) lives again in 1830 Paris. The pacing and story are both amazing. Pitof and Grangé have done such a wonderful job of creating and establishing this horrifying plot, and whipping it up into a frenzy, that it is impossible to not get swept away by it. The cast is also amazing, with everyone turning in fantastic performances. A truly great film!
This is one of the first major motion pictures worldwide to employ a fully digital process in its making, including digital cameras. This adaptation has proven to be a lovely proving ground for this new process. Many of the exterior and interior sets and decorations were constructed by computer, and add a sense of detail and accuracy of time and history to 1830 Paris that would otherwise be impossible.
The special effects and fight sequences are fantastic, with many surreal nightmarish visions that will haunt your for weeks. There are so many amazing things about this film! For example, I've never heard pitiful mewling til I saw 'Vidocq'. Once you see this film, you'll know what I mean, and it will disturb you to your core. It's a film that is at once beautiful and repulsive. There's lots of intrigue, conspiracy, horror, suspense, mystery, romance of a sort, everything you could want from a film. See Vidocq! -
JasonT4138 October 2003This film is similar to another recent French film the Brotherhood of the Wolf. They are both similar visual treats in which the actors are there to complement the spectacle. Vidocq is not a bad film. Depardieu is at his best while doing films in his native French. It was good to see him in this type of role and film. It was fun watching him (though he could shed a few pounds now and then). The supporting cast is excellent as well. This is a 19th century France that is gritty and the streets are approached from an angle of realism. It's the 19th century and you feel like it is right around the corner. It breathes life. Well done and leaves you looking forward to the next work of this director.
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vostf7 October 2001Pitof is not a director. J-C Grangé does not know how to write a story with a tense development from the beginning through the end.
Vidocq will not break even for it is visually annoying and narratively dull and ridiculous. Visually Pitof can't manage to tell a story as he displays artificial still/long shots or ugly/pointless very close shots. Narratively the story by J-C 'botch end' Grangé (I still remember what you did for Crimson Rivers) is:
1- linear and the supporting roles are only moving scenery
2- ending in a ridiculous mess (Spoiler: how fashionable thou art J-C with your DIY final twist and turn that made me think Fight Club, 6th Sense, Angel Heart and even Agatha Christie's Murder of Roger Ackroyd are perhaps true masterpieces)
However Vidocq is the first 100% DV feature. That's yet too good for it to be remembered by some book about the History of Technics in the Movie Industry.
Well today is a sunny day in Paris. Fancy a cool Alchemist outside some café? -
tenten765 February 2003Pitof's style and design comes blazing through, in a kind of high-octane version of the work he did for Jeunet & Caro - a mixture of French garishness and Tim-Burton-esque gothic fantasy and detail. Also reminded me a bit of Alex Proyas' design on Dark City.
The plot gallops along, with Depardieu appearing in flashback scenes throughout while his biographer, the police, a decadent journalist and his sidekick all try to re-trace his steps, solve the bizarre murders and capture the Alchemist (if he or she even exists)!
There's so much going on on-screen that it's a complete feast for the eyes, especially once femme fatale Preah gets mixed up in the mystery.
I also thought it was so refreshing to see the investigative duo of Vidocq and Nimier, because they are both coarse, brainy & brawny (like two bears in top hats), whereas any Hollywood film would surely add numerous physical & character defects. You'd also lose the wonderful surreal Frenchness of the setting, and almost grotesque supporting characters.
The Alchemist is a great baddie - not superhuman, but you're not quite sure (for a long time anyway) if he/she is really supernatural or not - or of his/her motivation, and by the last half hour you think it could be virtually any of the main characters under the mask, which sets you up for a really good revelation or two & a battle at the end.
An exciting movie (complex, but not difficult), and not one dull moment. I'm not sure what some of the negative reviewers were watching, because if you liked Sleepy Hollow or From Hell, you'll adore this. -
tomimt17 September 2005One thing to be said about Vidocq is, that Pitof has managed to made visually rather neat flick, even thought it's very visible, that the budget of the film wasn't extremely huge, as some of the CGI effects are very clearly just effects.
Plot isn't that bad either: Vidocq (Gerard Depardieu) is hunting notorious murderer called The Alchemist. Vidocq then disappears, but his biographer Boisset (Guillaume Canet) begins his quest to find him.
As for characters go, Alchemist is actually rather effective boogie man, even thought the movie itself clearly is tilted towards action than horror. That is the biggest problem of the movie: besides the action it really has very little to offer.
Watch it for it's action scenes, not to get scared. -
Vince_ro2 December 2002SPOILERS.Vidocq: French murder mystery set in 19-th century France which started interesting enough but overall left me disappointed and unsatisfied.
First thing I didn't like was the way it was filmed,although the digital filming gives the film a very crisp and clear image it gave it too much the feel of a amateurish home movie and that took away from the overall dark feeling of the movie.I also didn't like the surrealist painting like decors,but thats just a matter of taste so I won't hold it against it.
The characters were poorly developed.Gerard depardieu appeared in only a few scenes mostly of which involved him fighting the alchemist,well made and complex fight scenes,but totally unnecesary to the plot.Etienne was the only somewhat developed character,but in the end you find out that it was all just an act so there goes that.I found the police detective investigating Vidocq's death to be the only interesting character,but again he was poorly developed.
The story is interesting and the ending left me quite surprised for a few seconds,but quite annoyed after seeing that there was no way of predicting the bad guy,reminded me of those annoying movies where you find out at the end that the mystery killer was a character that died in scene 1
I also got annoyed by how the killer killed his first 3 victims,It seemed an awful lot of trouble to kill them that way when he could just stabbed them or shot them,which led to vidocq finding the hair pin of which he just happened to know the owner which told him about the next victim and so forth...
Is it to much to ask for him to have used his brain to solve the case not just find some random clue that takes him to some different characters each one pointing the way to somebody with a little more knowledge.
In the end I would have liked less fight scenes,less fancy filming,more vidocq and more background of the killer 5/10 - disappointing