Max & Jeremie

In the French humorous show, "les guignols de l'info", Christophe Lambert often says in a weary tone: "Yeah, I know. All my movies are rotten." Well, he should think twice before telling silly things. Indeed, "Max et Jérémie" (1992) is his best movie since "Greystoke" (1984). And this terrific movie is perfectly mastered by Claire Devers. This woman's got plenty of nerve to film violence and blood.

As it was the case with another French movie "the little criminal" (1990, dialogs constitute the vividness of the movie. They contain a lot of humor that enables to keep the spectator in suspense. It also enables to reduce the seriousness of the dramatic side of the story. But especially, Claire Devers emphasized on the dialogs for a better focus on the relationships between the two men: on one hand, Jérémie (Christophe Lambert): a lost young man who wishes to gain Philippe Noiret's friendship and on the other hand, Max (Philippe Noiret), an elderly man who'll gradually become attached to Max. Little by little, a (a bit confused but strong) friendship will link the two men. Obviously, this friendship will have its ups and downs.

Apart from this, the action sequences aren't neglected for all that and they turn out to be thrilling. At the end, the whole gives a stable movie and remarkably well constructed. In spite of a few weaknesses (Claire Devers dressed a caricatured portrait of Jean-Pierre Marielle's assistant and the last twenty minutes tend to run out of steam), it's useless to be fussy for this brilliant success. This is arguably one of the best French detective movies of the nineties. At last, one thing I don't understand: how can such a good movie have a rather low mark on IMDB? It's not fair, it deserves much more recognition.

This French thriller drama is inspired by the female crime novelist Teri White, who wrote interesting crime books about the complexity of relationships between men, and ONLY men: borderline cops, outcasts. From a woman author, that's very interesting, strange and also surprisingly good. One of her novel was adapted, also by the French movie industry: REGARDE LES HOMMES TOMBER, a pure masterpiece. In her stories, she shows her trademark, different characters have their paths cross and that leads to tragedy. The writing and character study is always awesome, terrific, poignant, I would say captivating. So unusual. Of course sometimes, homosexuality is more or less suggested but never, NEVER shown. Everything is written in subtlety. Teri White is an unique writer for me. The book from which this film is adapted is not her best, not the darkest, the most gloomy, unlike the others, so that's not the one I prefer. The movie is rather faithful to the novel, but in that scheme, this topic of two hired killers - one older than the other; the master and the pupil - do not expect to find another MECHANIC scheme, the outstanding Michael Winner's film, starring Charles Bronson and Jan Michael Vincent. Nothing to do with this one.

The plot is a bit convoluted and raw, like people didn't think too much about it, which is strange, because it is based on a book. However the acting is amazing! Philippe Noiret does the stuck up aristocrat role, which he may have done before, but Christophe Lambert is brilliant in playing this dumb kid who is being used by the mob to kill people, but doesn't understand his value at all.

So my bottom line is that with enough attention to script details, this could have been a masterpiece. As it stands, it's just a great example of good acting. It deserves a rewrite!

Max et Jérémie is a very good movie, has a good script and is well produced. The cast is good too, Lambert (my favorite actor) and Philip Noiret are great actors. The movie is a little boring, but the action scenes are great. If you are a Lambert fan you will like this movie.

Very decent film for all to watch, provided that you are not a minor. I've always enjoyed watching this picture with a close loved one. Bjorn gives a spectacular performance.