Sauver ou périr

A beautiful and heartbreaking (true) hero's journey of a Paris fireman, husband and dad. Pierre Niney is wonderful.

Very well presented storyline. No fancy theatrics around the central accident. Good example of what the victims and families can go through after incidents such as this. Definitely worth a watch.

This is a quite magnificent film on so many counts. Inspired by true events, this story of the human spirit, overcoming all the odds, will remain long in the memory. Everything about it is top notch - direction, cinematography, script and, most of all, the acting. All play their parts exceptionally well, with Pierre Niney in the lead role being particularly outstanding. His range of emotions, in a difficult part, dominate the film, and he confirms the fact that he is a brilliant actor. This is a must see movie for anyone who appreciates film making at its best.

That's not really a movie about firemen, as were BACKDRAFT and LES HOMMES DU FEU, even if it tells the story of a fireman, an ambitious fireman who is suddenly victim, the casulaty of his own duty. It is rather a tale about love and heroisme; and not the kind of heroism, as you may expect to see, in the usual way I mean. It may be a drpressing movie, not for all audiences, but so moving, full of emotion, so deep, so poignant, so close to real life and human nature and behavior. As Mark Twain said: there are two days important in one's life: the day you are born and the day you find out why.

It is so refreshing to watch good movies like this one lately. No hidden agenda, no politics, just a heart-wrenching story well told and brilliantly interpreted. I learned about the fact it is based on a true story only after watching it, which makes it even more special. I highly recommend this movie.