- Film Review
- Reviewed By Alan Jones
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3 out of 5
A twisted and twisting French thriller based on Ted Lewis's novel Plender, director Eric Barbier's violent tale of manipulation, paranoia and retribution has a compelling film noir atmosphere and dark attitude. The shattered life of wealthy photographer Vincent (Yvan Attal) falls apart further when former classmate Plender (Clovis Cornillac) manoeuvres him into a web of blackmail and murder. With no one believing he's the target of a ruthless vendetta motivated by past misdeeds, Vincent's only chance to save himself is to find Plender's weakness - and very surprising it turns out to be. Attal convincingly essays a man with nothing left to lose, while Cornillac's disquietingly controlled rage provides a tense undercurrent whenever Barbier relaxes the suspense. The plot doesn't bear close scrutiny, but the fast pace, stylish direction and lead performances manage to paper over the cracks.
Plot Summary
Thriller starring Yvan Attal and Clovis Cornillac. A photographer is manoeuvred into a web of blackmail and murder by a vengeful former classmate.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Plender
- Clovis Cornillac
- Vincent
- Yvan Attal
- Cendras
- Pierre Richard
- Sam
- Simon Abkarian
- Max
- Jean-Claude Bouillon
- Catherine
- Veronika Varga
- Sofia
- Olga Kurylenko
- Hélène
- Minna Haapkyla
- Becker
- Gérald Laroche
- Carbona
- Pierre Marzin
Crew
- Director
- Eric Barbier
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