Genres

Visitors Review

jjsemple 2012-05-26 01:57:26

More Holes than a Golf Course

Plot has more holes than a golf course.So they had to spend the last 20 minutes explaining what had gone downin the first 110. Too bad the plot became so tangled that thescreenwriters were unable to show what happened and were forced toexplain it instead, by locking two guys in a room. Two guys who taketurns threatening each other with a pistol, even though you and I knowthat neither will shoot. If they did, we'd never get the explanation,and they owed us that much, quand meme.Not that we couldn't guess what was coming! I mean a politician at ahorse show, an eminence grise, is a giveaway. Why show the guy if hedoesn't figure in somewhere? And where will he figure in? Duh, that'sright, down the line we'll discover he's the bad guy. The Frenchversion of the evil senator we've seen so many times before.So the filmmaker's challenge is to make us feel like we're in goodhands as he unravels the story. It's not about acting (yes, its good),production values, or direction; it's about story telling. How to getthe characters to the ending we know is coming in an absorbing,suspenseful way?Guillaume Canet should see LA Confidential (1997). Oh what CurtisHanson might have done with this story!

2012-05-25 13:44:27

Long and Columbo is Much Better

Two hours and 5 minutes, is a long time to draw out this "mystery." This film meanders around, running time backward and forward, replaying scenes, subtracting and adding details, until the audience is finally shown the whole story. I love French film, I love mysteries, I love the odd chase scene, unfortunately this film mostly strikes out on most accounts. Dr. Alex Beck and his wife Margot drive out to a country house on the lake. We realize this is a childhood romance that has continued to blossom, and that they both love eachother deeply. Margot is murdered and Alex is knocked out trying to save her. This is all revealed in the first 15 minutes of the film. Then the director fast forwards to eight years later. From here the film just wanders all over the place with Alex trying to figure out who done it?No spoliers here. The plot seems obvious for about an hour. Then it gets complicated. Then it goes simple. The mystery sort of comes and goes, is the wife still alive or not. Then in roughly the last 15 minutes, the mystery is solved, then refuted and resolved. It just wasn't interesting the fourth solving time around.The acting is not that great. Francois Cluzet is robotic throughout the film (well at least he was consistent) looking a bit like Dustin Hoffman. François Berléand plays the likeable police inspector, who is actually intelligent and soft spoken here compared to his idiot / savant role in the Transporter series. The rest of the cast, aside from Bruno, look like they are just phoning in the performances.Visually, the film was reasonably well done. There were some very poor handheld camera moments. Bad because they were butted up to solid vibration free filming. The huge accident / pile up on the peripherique was well done, actually scary. The chase scenes on foot were well edited. Although the police cars kept showing up at the last second, and then Alex could out run the cars.A mystery, thriller, who done it, has to have all the details perfect, if it is to succeed. The viewer is trying very hard to solve the mystery, and details help point to the solution. This film just bombed with the details, things just were not right a lot of the time.There is no second viewing possible with this film. Once it's been seen, that's it. Knowing the surprise ending, ruins the whole film. No, what may have been said in other reviews is simply wrong, there is no replay value here.In French with English subtitles (can be turned off). Translation is not great, it's just passable. The film would be rated R, there's a bit of full frontal male and female nudity. The murder victim is shown in pretty graphic detail - nothing too much worse than CSI or Law And Order. So anyone that doesn't mind about 2 or 3 minutes of nudity, and CSI kind of violence, this film will work. The DVD includes deleted scenes and outtakes. After watching the first three deleted scenes and seeing no difference between what was in the film and these scenes, I stopped watching. Outtakes was equally bad, basic laugh because I can't say my line type outtakes.The film is long, the mystery not that intriguing, the acting cardboard, and it's a formula that is tired (the Columbo replaying the murder over and over again until it's solved).

2012-05-15 20:46:29

I'VE VIEWED THIS FILM THREE TIMES SINCE JUNE '09

This review is from: Tell No One (DVD) First time through TNO boggled and fascinated me; I'd never seen a movie which seemed so well done in every aspect. From script to direction/editing to cinematography to acting, I it superb, smart, stylish and right-on in every aspect.Second viewing I took notes, dissecting the plot and the visualization of it, watching closely the performances. Not a beat was missed, not a screen moment wasted. Knowing the twists andflips I just watched it for the components. And thought more of it than the first time.Today I just watched it because I wanted to see a great movie, virtually a work of art. It was greater still. Three times with three minds; five-stars each. That's 15 stars in my book.

2012-05-15 17:40:31

good thriller

tell no one is a good mystery movies that grabs you and never lets go.see it and tell your friends.the acting is superb with a good action sequence on a paris beltway.a french sleeper.

2012-05-11 19:52:22

Tell No One DVD

This review is from: Tell No One (DVD) Arrived very quick as promised 2-3 days. DVD was in great condition looked like new. Would buy again from this seller.

Dow 2012-05-11 04:18:28

Abyss of Convoluted Boredom

I was surprised to learn that the movie was based on a novel. It seemed to me that the plot was being made up on the fly.Quickly lost interest.To make matters worse the movie is insufferably long.A major disappointment.

amarct 2012-05-11 10:33:10

A solid story. A surprise at every turn

A solid story and a suspense that doesn't stop to take unexpected non stop twists and turns until the very end... A must see thriller. Great acting too and great good old fashion stunts without those overused and obnoxious special effects.

Tweekums 2012-05-10 20:05:43

Quality French Thriller

I hadn't heard of this film when I first saw it in the bargain sectionof an on-line DVD shop as the write-up looked good I found anindependent review which was positive so bought it; I'm glad that I didas it is an excellent film.The film opens with a family get together in rural France, after thistwo of the people there depart and drive to a small lake where they goskinny dipping. After a brief argument Margot swims back to where sheleft her clothes and walks off towards the car, as she goes her husbandAlex hears a scream and swims across the lake, as he gets out of thewater he is attacked and left for dead.The next scene is eight years later and Alex is working as a doctor andwe learn that Margot died in the attack. The past comes back to haunthim when two bodies are found near the site of the attack, soon afterhe receives an email which claims to be from his late wife. As hestarts to ask questions about the events of eight years ago he findshimself being investigated by the police and a shadowy group who'smotivation we don't find out till near the end of the film. The policestart to believe that he may have killed his wife rather then theserial killer who had been convicted of the crime. As the police closein to arrest him he flees and is forced to get help from a criminalwho's son he once saved.I've tried to keep spoilers to a minimum as when one watches this forthe first time you don't want to know too much. The action is welldone, especially during the chase scene after he flees from the police.Some people may be put off by the fact that it isn't in English, Idon't speak French but barely noticed that I was reading subtitles as Iwas so engrossed in the story. The acting was impressive through out,especially from François Cluzet in the lead role.

BillS 2012-05-05 02:55:11

Great Suspense!

This is an outstanding French suspense film. It is one of the best movies of the year. You will be at the edge of your seat until the end. The acting is Oscar quality. You may not care for the background music but you will not regret taking time to see this academy award potential movie.

imdb-5596 2012-05-04 17:15:06

Hollywood used to make films like this in the 1980s and they were not very good and too long then.

There's potential in there with "Tell No-one". A curious and intriguingplot, and a French take on a very American story. But for me, theopportunities were not exercised here.Although I liked aspects of this film, there were three prominentfailings which pulled it right down to four out of ten.Firstly, it's a silly, clichéd murder mystery. A particularly contrivedMurder She Wrote or Bergerac. Being French doesn't eliminate thisproblem - it's just silly and in French at the same time. It's full ofimplausible coincidences.Secondly, the transition from the US to France seems to have failedchronically. This French doctor hanging out on "the streets" of aFrench city with his new "homies" and their blingin' SUVs... and thenthere's the car chases...But thirdly and mostly, it's just too darn long. To me, a film needs agood reason to be significantly over 90 minutes, and over two hourstakes some serious justification. This once didn't have it.

D. 2012-05-02 02:55:49

Outstanding

This movie keeps you guessing up until the very end. The acting is above par & the story line is one of the best I've seen in a long time. It's well worth seeing!

writers_reign 2012-05-01 21:53:02

KeepIt Under Your Hat ...

''' but Tell No One is quite an effective policier. It was made moreenjoyable for me when the likes of Nathalie Baye, Jean Rochefort andBrigitte Caitillon popped up seemingly out of the blue but playingslightly more than cameos. Francois Cluzot carries the bulk of themovie as the pediatrician whose childhood sweetheart turned wife is thevictim of a serial killer. He copes after a fashion with the help ofKristin Scott-Thomas until eight years later when he begins to thinkhis wife may still be alive. This is just the start of a labyrinthineseries of events that rack up the tension. Andre Dussollier is also onhand as is the director himself. Though it differs in plot this is thebest French policier since 36, Quai des Orfevres (Olivier Marchal whodirected the former is also in this as an actor) and highlyrecommended.

Dennis Nolan 2012-04-27 14:16:36

Great Story and Acting

Many twists to the plot and great story. Entertainig but somewhat scary what could really happen to someone if you think about it. Very believable actors and really shows in the plot what somewhat would have to do in this situation to honestly resovlve it. Liked the part where he is followed by police to the low class neigborhod and the reaction of the residents. Highly recommend to see it. Some interesting supporting characters also.

2012-04-26 22:31:54

Telling Everyone

This review is from: Tell No One (DVD) Tell NO One.... A true gift from French Cinema... What a way for French film making to move to the forefront of film making in World Cinema. Under the beautifully layered elements of mystery, intrigue, action and noir, all brought to a contemporary edge by this most creative and imaginative filmaker; is a love story that runs the gambit from the innocence of youth through the trials, terror and tribulations of modern French life lived at its fullest. A MUST SEE film.

Nicole 2012-04-20 17:10:20

Ne le dis à personne: Tell no one

Exellent performance from Francois Cluzet, the suspens starts from the beginning, you have to follow the story with attention,captivating French movie that I higly recommend ! You are transported in France.....

2012-04-20 04:25:14

Tell No one DVD

This review is from: Tell No One (DVD) Instead of watched it with English subtitles, we opted to watch with the English voice overs. It doesn't follow Coben's book to the letter, but its pretty close. If I had not read the book, I would've been a little lost at times. Watch for a cameo appearance of Coben :)

Paris05 2012-04-13 17:32:49

stylized violence

Lots of technique can't mask a shallow story with no character development and lots of stylized violence. Director tries to get by on post-Friedkin cool, but doesn't quite have the chops to pull it off. Cast has little more to do than reaction shots and a lot of running. This film belongs to the editor, but even editing can't save it.

2012-04-12 22:29:50

Ruined by explaining

Another reviewer says it better, but the 10 minutes of explaining the conspiracy (followed by a couple minutes explaining the REAL conspiracy) ruins the whole thing. SPOLIERS It's not really a 'mind-bender' or 'puzzler' if there are no clues or few clues through the film. It's a guy on the run followed by the explanation of why he's on the run. Stylish and well-acted and the plot's a zero. When you explain at the end, who cares what the explanation is 'ah, she was abducted by aliens and only recently replaced', 'ah, Al Qaida!', 'ah, drug deal gone bad!', they all work because there's nothing to fit to. Oh, there was one clue, which is that the father-in-law was clearly guilty because he's creepy and has white hair. It's the Christopher Plummer corrolary. The best part is the father tells the woman the husband is dead. Just like that she buys it for eight years. Apparently no newspaper article, no post on the internet. Husband has the same job, same friends, same frigging really pubclic doctor's office and probably the same receptionist. Whoops, 'he's dead', don't bother checking, have fun in Spain for eight years! Don't call his office, it's dead too! Dumb-da-dumb-dumb.

Cliff Hanley 2012-04-11 08:35:37

a tightly-paced thriller

Tell No One is very much the kind of film which once would have beenthe major release of its time, when what are now multiplex blockbusterswere made as 'B' movies and Hitchcock was knocking out films as Fordpoured out cars. Now, it's as much an 'art-house' release as anything,but it deserves the big push.The novel it comes from, by Harlan Coben, is a best-seller. Recentmovie history has established this combination as a 10 - 1 disaster, aswith 'Bonfire of The Vanities' and The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love',but the dense plot of the original and its jaw-dropping pace remainintact.Dr. Alex Beck (Cluzet), quiet and dedicated paediatrician, mourns themysterious murder of his wife. On the 8th anniversary of her death hebegins receiving emails, apparently from beyond the grave. They areonly the start, and combined with increasingly suspicious policeinvestigators and a string of further murders, lead to the doctor goingon the run. One of his remaining links with the world and sanity is thegirlfriend (Scott-Thomas, or her French doppleganger), which emphasisesthe tale's link to the classic '39 Steps', as he is forced to abandonhis career and home, and undergo a profound personality change. Anotheraccomplice is the 'low-life' (Marchal, best known as a director), whoowes the doctor a favour. This heavy dude, in one scene which raisesthe story to high comedy, is outraged at being put in the shade by DrBeck's new-found psychopathic tendencies.To call these supporting roles would be to underestimate them. The sameeven more true, of Andre Dussollier's performance as the 'late' MmeBeck's father. The scene where he reveals all, and mutates fromthreatening alpha male to crumpled self-victim is one for the CV. Butthat is not all, after all. There is yet more, and the twists keepturning round right up to the end. My advice: first, go for a largeespresso - and pay attention! CLIFF HANLEY

djbabu_30 2012-04-11 01:02:59

An unusual thriller movie

Adaptation of the novel of Harlan Coben. A tragic, mysterious story. In1997 a french happy married couple Alex (Francois Cluzet) and Margot(Marie-Josee Croze) seems to have a romantic anniversary day, whensuddenly after being unconscious for a few days, he gets the terriblenews that the love of his life has been murdered . 8 years later Alexis trying to carry on without Margot, even though all that happenedcannot be absolutely forget. One day a shocking, anonymous email makeshim believe that she is alive! Someone knows the truth, and in order tofind out what really happened 8 years ago, Alex embarks on a dangerousjourney, during which many people will get hurt, him included. Youcannot miss a scene it will pin you down to the chair. One of the bestfrench movies of the last decade.