La Trilogie 1: On The Run Movie Review:


French filmmaker Belvaux shot each tale in this overlapping trilogy using a different genre, and he takes the central role in this gripping and involving thriller. As it opens, Bruno (Belvaux) has escaped from prison and is returning to his career as a terrorist for the Popular Army. His former sister-in-arms (Frot) now has a loving husband (Darimont) and son, and has put activism behind her. But Bruno insists on drawing her in, because to him the ideals are still as valid as they were 20 years ago!

As Bruno goes about his sinister business, he gets help from the junky wife (Blanc) of a dirty cop (Melki), discovers an enemy in a former partner (Descamps), and invades the quiet life of a woman (Muti) who hasn't a clue what's going on. But since he's now the sole member of this army, where is Bruno headed?

With very little dialog, Belvaux tells his compelling story in the actions of his characters--fascinating, involving and extremely complicated. Not only does the plot twist and turn, but the wonderfully played characters are all forced to make difficult decisions that often have fatal consequences. Our emotional link to the story is, surprisingly, not Frot's moving wife and mother, caught between an old alliance and a new reality; it's Bruno's bullheaded refusal to accept that fact that the world is not the same as when he went away. And Belvaux plays it brilliantly, with a tragicomic pathos that focuses on his inner resolve and growing confusion: a zealot without a cause.

Meanwhile, the film looks terrific--grainy, moody and intense. And the mixture of violent revenge and political idealism is a potent one! The script seems effortless in the way it builds real tension and establishes even the smaller characters with insinuating details and subtext.

Yes, it's a bit confusing and elusive, but it's also fascinating and involving right up to the clever and offbeat conclusion.

Rich Cline

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