Target Number One

I remember reading the actual news from this incident back when I was in my late teens, early twenties. Victor Malarek did an incredibly good job at showing how incompetent Canadian officials who couldn't cause a significant dent in the drug trade coming from Asia into north america decided to use a straw man to create a fictitious incident in order to improve their image. The incident in itself and how it was covered back then by journalist Malarek was plain riveting. Unfortunately, the movie that was made about it is clearly not a top quality product and misuses the talent of great actors. Still worth watching just to learn about what happened.

This was an alright biographic movie with elements of crime and thriller added. The cast did well portraying the characters. Josh Hartnett playing victor was a good choice in my opinion as well. But aside from everything else seeming ok the movie itself just felt disconnected, the way the sections were added almost didn't create a liner story and as I watched, I wondered why they were doing this and why he was there and such. Overall a good biographical movie, it could've just been a better approach to it.

If you're in the mood for a complex true crime thriller then Target Number One will fit the bill nicely. You'll have to pay attention though as there are lots of moving parts, many characters and broken time lines which can make it difficult to follow. Some of the characters break into French often without subtitles which is a bit anoying. Characters disappear never to be seen again and scenes end abruptly without conclusion. For all these faults I still enjoyed it and it's nice to see Josh Hartnet getting a leading role, if only in a low budget movie like this. I hope it leads to bigger and better things for him.

May not have the grip of a massive Hollywood thriller but it isn't far off. Engaging and well worth a watch. A solid 8 out 10.

"Target Number One" is a well directed, well acted and compelling Canadian film that everyone should see. . In this drama based on a true story, a Canadian journalist investigates the circumstances surrounding the suspicious arrest of a heroin addict imprisoned in a Thai jail. . Well crafted and unafraid of telling the true story; "Target Number One" dives deep into a frustratingly un-Canadian crime story and really delivers. This is the first Canadian film to be released since Covid-19 hit and it truly is a really good film to kick it off. Josh Hartnett gives probably the performance of his career and Antoine Olivier Pilon is exceptional. The film is never boring nor does it lag, it's the perfect length and pace and I really enjoyed it. .