THE PLOT: We pick up five years later, Mesrine having, by his own admission, having grown up. He's also grown out, no longer quite the spry young thing who became Canada's most wanted, and now, believing his own hype, determined to bring the establishment down from the inside. Much to the annoyance of his partners in crime, who gradually abandon Mesrine to his own ways, and his growing love affair with the media. His days as a folk hero seem to be numbered though...
THE VERDICT: The second part of the very fine double-bill charting the life and crimes of a real-life French gangster, Mesrine: Public Enemy No.1 is every bit as thrilling as its predecessor, Killer Instinct, released earlier this month. And the good thing is, now you have no excuse not to see the two back-to-back. Vincent Cassel is wonderful in the lead role (picking up a Cesar for his troubles), aided and abetted this time out by the wonderful Ludivine Sagnier as his latest moll, Sylvia Jeanjacquot.
Rating : 4/5
Review by Paul Byrne