Mersine Part 1 & 2

Cast: Cecile De France, Elena Anaya, Gerard Depardieu, Gilles Lellouche, Roy Dupuis, Vincent Cassel

Jacques Mesrine is public enemy #1. He is the finest and most celebrated of all French criminals but unlike many of his Hollywood counterparts, there is something different about him. Mesrine is special or at least that's what he'd have you believe. Think along the lines of Eric Cantona. The way he holds his head up high with such arrogance and confidence gives him an air of attitude 'en francais'. Everyone is a philosopher- the saying goes.

This two part feature length film is based on a true French gangster and will keep you hooked till the very end, as the story guides you through the life of a charming but ruthless man who wishes to be seen by the public as a Robin-Hood-style-hero but privately is selfish and craves the high life, stopping for nobody. Mesrine's actions are so outrageous that it's hard to believe that somebody had the audacity to think of them, let alone pull them off. But the amazing thing is everything you see actually happened! One minute he is sporting a classic Bobby Charlton comb-over having sex with a beautiful French prostitute and the next minute he is staying in a 5 star hotel buying the finest clothes with a 1980's Scouse perm up top. Nothing is impossible.

The man of many disguises is played superbly by Vincent Cassel. His acting is as solid as it gets and he certainly deserves all the plaudits he may receive. The film is subtitled but don't let this put you off, it flows easily and the cinematography is purely spectacular; the script and storyline are also fantastic. Simply turn on and tune in, for 'Mesrine' is as addictive a film as 'Goodfellas' but due to the charisma of Jacques Mesrine it's much more fun. He is a very likable man, a characteristic not usually associated with mass murderers, making 'Mesrine' a film worthy of your time and money.