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Cast

Michael Duchaussoy

Vincent Cassel
as Jacques Mesrine

Ludivine Sagnier
as Sylvie Jeanjacquot

Mathieu Amalric
as François Besse

Gérard Lanvin
as Charlie Bauer

Samuel Le Bihan
as Michel Ardouin

Olivier Gourmet
as Commissaire Broussard

Georges Wilson
as Henri Lelievre

Michel Duchaussoy
as Mesrine's Father

Myriam Boyer
as Mesrine's Mother

Anne Consigny
as Mesrine's Lawyer

George Wilson
as Le Milliardaire

Cécile De France
as Jeanne Schneider

Gérard Depardieu
as Guido

Roy Dupuis
as Jean-Paul Mercier

Elena Anaya
as Sofia

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News & Interviews for Mesrine: Public Enemy #1

Critic Reviews for Mesrine: Public Enemy #1

Audience Reviews for Mesrine: Public Enemy #1

• Oct 15, 2013

  Second half to Mesrine: Killer Instinct, Mesine: Public Enemy #1 focuses on Jacques Mesrine on the run, and being pursued by the French authorities. A brilliant follow up to Killer Instinct, Vincent Cassel like I stated in my review for the first half is brilliant, and really he makes the part of Jacques Mesrine his own. No other actor could play that part any better. The film is brilliant in showing the criminal repercussions of Mesrine's lifestyle. Jacques Mesrine throughout the 1970's was the most dangerous criminal in France's history. He had a bone chilling reputation, and a knack to sell himself to the public eye to make him more popular towards France's population. This half concludes with the manhunt of Mesrine, and his eventual demise at the hands of French authorities. This is a fine film, a stunning crime film that redefines the genre. Public Enemy #1 is a thrilling conclusion to Killer Instinct. Since this is the second half, some viewers may find that this part is more thrilling and it is, but as a whole, and I really look at both parts as one film, as it should, Jean-Francois Richet has made a highly memorable picture, one of the finest gangster pictures that I've seen in quite some time. With a strong cast, Richet has made a film that will surely be destined to be a classic genre film. This is a must see film for crime film fans and is a near perfect film that is highly engaging from beginning to end. Mesrine is a delivers a raw, intense portrait of what it's really like to be in a life of crime. Richet's film shows us the ugly side of crime. Brilliant in showing Jacques Mesrine for whom he really was. This half focuses yet on other aspects of Mesrine's criminal exploits and viewers of the first half will likely be pleased with this second part. Definitely one of the finest crime films in recent memory, and worth seeing.
  Alex r Super Reviewer
• Apr 08, 2012

  As good as the first part although there is an underlying tension to this film as you are fully aware how it is going to end. Mesrine is older but not really wiser and his descent in middle age and baldness makes the film less glamorous that the first film. However there is still great action throughout and the film spends longer exploring his relationships with his friends, lovers and family. Both parts are great gangster films and character studies and of course Cassel is brilliant.
  

  David S Super Reviewer
• Sep 13, 2011

  Much like Che, the second portion of the Mesrine saga, while good, isn't as strong or as focused as the first portion. Still though, it's a lot of fun, and very watchable. The first is fun too, but the fun seems more evident here, mostly with the scenes of shopping, and of course the many scenes of armed robbery, kidnapping, and escapes. Heck, since those last few things are the bulk of the story over deth, character, and substance, they pretty much have to be fun, otherwise what's the point? There's no drastic stylistic change this time around, though there's a more prevalent sense of doom. There are a few sequences where thigns got so tense and suspenseful, I almost couldn't handle it. How things end was not a surprise, but still, the final like 15 minutes are absolutely gripping. Cassel once again shines as Mesrine, and he looks great with all his various hair styles, wigs, and varieties of facial hair. He was pretty well born to play this part. The cast ae mostly new this time around, and they too are all pretty good, especially Mathieu Amalric. The music remains good, as does the camera work, and, as I state,d the only real downer is that this entry seems a little less focused and really seems to make the statements of "What's the point?", or "Why should I care?" a little more obvious. Still though, this is terrifically entertaining stuff that is really well made and makes me happy that there are still directors out there interested in making cinematically excellent action and crime films.
  Chris W Super Reviewer
• Sep 01, 2011

  Sadly, this doesn't have a storytelling ability that the first part did. It doesn't have the source material to capture the same experience that the first part had; which was based on Jacques Mesrine's own writing. This has a really interesting opening part, but then goes nowhere after he's captured and finishes his autobiography. I understand why they split up the story into two parts, but honestly they could've just made the first part with this movie's first 45min and had a masterpiece on their hands. Ending it with him writing his autobiography would've been a perfect way to truly end the story. After that, it's just a prolonged chase and him being sent to the slaughter. The reason this movie works as well as it does is due to Vincent Cassel continuing to give his flawless performance as Mesrine; only this time with a giant beer gut. Sometimes a complete story just isn't the way to go, it feels like these movies should've only covered Mesrine's own account and not sort've just filled in the blanks using police reports as a timeline.
  Conner R Super Reviewer

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