Presunto violento

I had a few hopes before watching this James Hadley Chase's novel adaptation. Yes, I had a few hopes, at least that the spirit is respected, kept, I did nor ask, expect the whole plot, because there are too many characters in the novel. So many...But once more, I was deceived. It is too much light hearted, too comedy oriented. But it's not genuinely a comedy though. The overall basic plot is more or less close to the book, yes, but that's the last film from this late eighties and early nineties French TV film series adapted from James Hadley Chase that I will watch; I mean those starring Michael Brandon. The presence of Robert Mitchum was the main reason for me to try this lousy picture from George Lautner - who gave us much much better in the past.

One cannot help but wonder why the great Robert Mitchum got lost in this Frenchie drivel.He plays like a zombie,like a sleepwalker ,probably the best thing to do when you are given such a lousy part to work with.

And (fortunately!)the great actor does not play the lead;the rest of the cast ,left to their own devices,surpasses him in mediocrity :the male principal (Michael Brandon)overplays and is constantly unbearable and his female co-star is as expressive as a Barbie doll ,even in jeopardy;the others (Marie Laforet,Francis Perrin,Mario Adorf ) ,are not sure if it's a spy thriller or a spoof and their performances suffer accordingly.

George Lautner was a "comedies" specialist " ,but from time to time,he came up with more ambitious works ("Le Septieme Juré " ,"La Route De Salina -in which he directed two American actresses ,Rita Hayworth and Mimsy Farmer, quite well- and "la Maison Assassinée"); he apparently registered the same desire here :if it were so ,then it signally failed in its purpose !