MR 73

In Marseilles, the discredited and alcoholic Detective Schneider (Daniel Auteuil) hijacks a bus and forces the bus driver with a gun to drive him home. He is arrested by the swat force and his washed up career in the police department practically ends. Schneider is removed from the investigation of a serial-killer that is committing hideous crimes against women and assigned to a bureaucratic work in the night-shift in the precinct. Through glimpses from his recollections, Schneider recalls the tragic accident that killed his daughter and left his wife trapped to a bed and life support system. Meanwhile, the sick criminal Charles Subra (Philippe Nahon), who killed the parents of two girls many years ago, convinces the probation committee in the prison that he has found God and is regenerated and may be released. Justine (Olivia Bonamy), one of the daughters that survived, has never overcome the trauma of her loss and is worried with the possibility of the freedom of the criminal. When Schneider discovers the identity of the serial-killer, he finds also the corruption in the high command of the police, and he decides to go to his last mission on Earth in his descent to Hell.

The impressive "MR 73" is a bleak, sordid and realistic detective story from the writer and director Oliver Marchal, who is also the author of "36 Quai des Orfèvres" and "Gangsters". This movie is a dramatic story, describing in a slow pace the descent to Hell of a detective after a tragedy caused by his love affair with a colleague. The police department is filthy and corrupt, and we see that these qualities apparently are worldwide, and not only in Third World countries. The performance of Daniel Auteuil worth an Oscar nomination and the conclusion is the only moment of hope along the whole gruesome tale. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "MR 73 – A Última Mussão" ("MR 73 – The Last Mission")

In grimy Marseilles, drunken disheveled Detective Louis Schneider is arrested for hijacking a bus. The driver told him to sit down which got him to pull out his gun. A car accident left his daughter dead and his wife despondent. He is relegated to work the night shift. Unrepetent killer Charles Subra is getting probation. Survivor Justine Maxence approaches arresting detective Schneider from those years ago for help. There is a serial killer on the loose. There is also a cover-up and Schneider is hounded to quit.

Daniel Auteuil is acting through his scruffy appearance and his dangling cigarettes. He is so good at being world weary that the movie in general is drained of life. It's all grim and crumbling without any tension. The disjointed storytelling with the constant flashbacks to the same incident gets a bit tiresome. This movie has the moody style but the flow needs to be more compelling. I think I almost like this movie.

Set in Marseilles where a burn-out Police inspector called Schneider : Daniel Auteuil suffers extremely from past tragic experiences . At the beginning he kidnaps a bus , as he is detained and degrated to inferior ranks to night office works. As worn-out police inspector Schneider is removed from his investigation procedure on a series killer and assigned to a monotonous job .

French formula thriller with intense drama, noisy action , crisply edition, tension, intrigue , suspenseful, twists and turns . The pic revolves around tragic events become complex throughout the movie, adding other issues as Police corruption , justice , vengeance and redemption . A nice cop movie , being realized in Polar (French Thriller) style and competently written/directed by the prolific actor/cult director Olivier Martínez at his best . In MR 73 stands out Daniel Auteuil giving an extraordinary acting as the deranged , washed-up and disturbing cop who finds redemption by protecting an unfortunate woman . Being well accompanied by a magnificent plethora of French secondaries , such as : Olivia Bonamy , Catherine Marchal , Moussa , Francis Renaud, and special mention for the recently deceased Philippe Nahon as a really nasty criminal . Adding a moving and thrilling musical score by the great French composer Bruno Coulais, as well as evocative and dark cinematography .

The motion picture was competently directed by Olivier Marchal . He is a good actor and director who has made several Noir Flicks . He is a notorious writer, producer, actor and filmmaker and time ago was a policeman , as well . Oliver started taking acting lessons when he still was a Police officer . He began in television ,apperaing in supporting parts or writing series for Detective TV series . In 2000 he starred as Commandant Pierre Riviere in his own series Police District . His films are usually played by regular actors as Gérard Depardieu , Daniel Auteuil, Daniel Duval , Francis Renaud and Catherine Marchal . Oliver Marchal has directed notable French thrillers Just like : 36th Precinct , Gangsters , Les Lyonnais , Diamond 13 and MR 73 . Rating : 7/10 . Better than average . The yarn will appeal to French thriller or Polar fans .

Some movies are saved by their actors.To write that the movie is derivative is to state the obvious .It borrows from many of the American thrillers of the nineties ,the inmate (notably) is another reincarnation of Hannibal. Fortunately,no Clarice,but Justine ,daughter of his victims ,whose part is the most interesting of the whole movie.Her commitment to her grandpa is extraordinary and the scene of the mass for the dead rings true .Her relationship with the hero is more conventional but the viewer really needed some sunlight breaking out.

A hero who has perhaps never deserved more to be called anti hero.It takes a lot of nerve ,a lot of genius and a lot of courage to play such a demeaning part of a fallen cop,who smells urine and alcohol ,with an haggard face who seems to have suffered his misfortunes without complain. Daniel Auteuil is ,much more than Depardieu,to the French cinema what Jean Gabin was half a century ago and besides he ages more gracefully .This part and that of Nicole Garcia's "L'Adversaire" are among his finest performances.The only thing that's lacking is a firm strong screenplay.This one is a bit desultory ,but who cares?Auteuil carries the movie on his shoulders ,with fine support by Olivia Bonamy.

Well I stepped into an avalanche,it covered up my soul..... (L.C.)

This movie should not be rated for its plot, or the good guys vs bad guys, or any other standard used to rate normal movies. This movie is an homage. An homage to the suffering, the courage and the lives of the real people on which the story is based.

Every aspect of this film breathes with the same deep respect for what happened. The reality it brings into the room takes your breath away... You cannot watch this movie and escape its grasp.

Daniel Auteuil and everyone else in the cast did their jobs with dignity. They played their roles the way they should be played and the aftertaste is bitter... but filled with reverence.

Watch this movie without reading the plot. Let it happen to you, expect nothing and allow yourself to care.

I'm sure you'll agree; 10 out of 10. Easily.