In “Ad Vitam,” Guillaume Canet takes on a role similar to Bruce Willis in other action hero movies of yesteryears. The series, which he co-wrote and stars in, is available on Netflix. In this production, Canet plays a former Parisian cop who is reluctantly drawn back into dangerous situations related to the incident that led to his dismissal. The story features an array of action sequences ranging from parkour to parasailing, making it anything but boring, thanks to Rodolphe Lauga’s direction. However, as the plot progresses, it becomes more challenging to maintain a sense of seriousness due to its shifts between gritty, realistic scenes and grandiose action sequences typically found in James Bond movies.
The combination of these elements doesn’t seem to work well together, made more problematic by a storyline structure that includes a lengthy, two-part flashback in the middle. The final product, while visually appealing, is somewhat unclear and gives the impression of a planned franchise start, but lacks the unique personality required to stand out as one — by attempting to cover too many aspects, it becomes a confusing blend of common genre elements.
Initially, Frank Lazarev (played by Canet) is employed in an aesthetically appealing job, descending historic structures to inspect for structural flaws. His wife, Leo (Sophie Caillard), is heavily pregnant with their first child. Upon returning from a routine doctor’s visit, they discover their home in disarray – not an uncommon occurrence. Subsequently, after the introduction of a questionable new coworker (Stephane Rideau), Frank narrowly escapes a deadly fall due to apparent job site tampering. On reaching home, he encounters himself and Leo under attack by armed, masked assailants who prove surprisingly proficient in combat. Despite their best efforts, the conflict concludes tragically, with the pair being separated. Both are warned that if a secret key, allegedly in Frank’s possession, isn’t surrendered, they will face dire consequences.
Approximately half an hour into the story, we flashback a whole decade to when our future leads were fresh graduates from a two-year training program for the GIGN, France’s main anti-terrorist tactical police unit. This context helps us understand why a woman near term was able to overpower intruders despite being heavily pregnant. The tight-knit group of 10 trainees, including Ben (Nassim Lyes) and Nico (Alexis Manenti), share scenes of camaraderie with each other, as well as their significant others like Nico’s wife Manon (Zita Hanrot). As the story unfolds, Franck and Leo begin to develop feelings for each other, but it seems this doesn’t pose a problem in terms of professional boundaries.
The characters are appealing and unlike typical US narratives, they aren’t dominated by arrogant masculinity. However, the narrative’s flow is initially disrupted as it jumps forward nine years to a night when Ben, Nico, and Franck, on duty, respond to gunshots at an upscale hotel. The events that unfold result in Franck being dismissed for failing to adhere to protocol. Around the movie’s one-hour mark, the timeline shifts back to the present, a few months later, with our protagonist urgently trying to save his wife from kidnappers linked to that shooting incident. It is later revealed that he isn’t just battling common criminals, but also dealing with the aftermath of international espionage that the French government is desperate to conceal – even if it means compromising the central couple.
This film packs quite a complexity for its 96-minute duration, considering it also grapples with a confusing timeline that doesn’t significantly contribute to the main narrative flow. Additionally, it includes scenic but seemingly unnecessary backdrops of famous tourist spots, intense training sequences resembling superhero movies, genuine emotional character interactions, a relentless antagonist (played by Johan Heldenbergh as Vanaken), and action scenes that escalate to an extreme level in the climax.
Each individual aspect in this production is enjoyable individually, well-executed with a polish and vigor by Lauga, who has previously directed more comedic pieces. However, “Ad Vitam” (translating to ‘for life’) fails to synthesize its diverse components into a cohesive whole. Instead, it appears as an incomplete balance between conflicting commercial approaches. It seems to be torn between becoming a traditional French police drama centered around investigative and domestic aspects, or an action-packed thrill ride akin to movies such as “Mission: Impossible” and “xXx”.
In this movie, attempting to have both intense action and deep character development seems to be a struggle – one that unfortunately diminishes suspense and emotional engagement. While the lead actor, Canet, is physically prepared for strenuous challenges similar to those in “Die Hard,” the film’s lack of clarity undermines his readiness. As a result, Franck comes across as an ordinary character, less compelling than some of the secondary characters who are intriguing but underdeveloped.
Ad Vitam,” although well-crafted and visually appealing, offers an engaging journey at first glance. However, upon reaching the end, you might find yourself questioning whether it took you somewhere meaningful or if the final destination held any true significance.
Read More
- SUI PREDICTION. SUI cryptocurrency
- „People who loved Dishonored and Prey are going to feel very at home.” Arkane veteran sparks appetite for new, untitled RPG
- LDO PREDICTION. LDO cryptocurrency
- Destiny 2: A Closer Look at the Proposed In-Game Mailbox System
- Clash Royale Deck Discussion: Strategies and Sentiments from the Community
- Jennifer Love Hewitt Made a Christmas Movie to Help Process Her Grief
- ICP PREDICTION. ICP cryptocurrency
- Naughty Dog’s Intergalactic Was Inspired By Akira And Cowboy Bebop
- Critics Share Concerns Over Suicide Squad’s DLC Choices: Joker, Lawless, and Mrs. Freeze
- EUR IDR PREDICTION
2025-01-13 22:16