Sans mobile apparent

As an intelligent thriller, "Sans Mobile Apparent" allows viewers to keep on guessing about the real motives of a shrewd criminal. It does not take viewers long to realize that a criminal case has become too tough to be solved when there is hardly an apparent motive for a crime. Director Philippe Labro chose to narrate his story in a 'fast pace' mode as a lot happens in three days. It is only through meticulous planning and research that a determined police inspector is able to unearth that some past events are casting their shadows in the form of present day killings. French actor Jean Louis Trintignant is a perfect choice as a no nonsense cop who is absolutely serious about his job. His dedication to his work is so perfect that he does not even tolerate his colleagues eating chewing gum. Although "Sans Mobile Apparent" has been compared with other Hollywood films, it is unique in its own narration of a milieu where rich people lead rakish lives with fatal consequences. Monsieur Philippe Labro is an important personality in the world of French cinema. Apart from making films, he has written many best selling novels as well as articles for magazines. He has also appeared on television. As one looks at his filmography, it is rather strange to note that he no film was directed by him in last three decades. His last film "Rive Droite Rive Gauche" with Gérard Depardieu and Nathalie Baye was made in 1984. However, one should feel happy to learn that as an active filmmaker Philippe Labro has made seven important films which are known for their elements of suspense and thriller.

Good solid thriller with fine central performance from Jean Louis Trintignant and very decent score from Morricone. Taught, interesting, involving and amusing from start to finish this good looking film has much to offer including some strange casting and an understated but sleazy background.

Erich Segal, writer of Love Story and person responsible for the screen play of Yellow Submarine(!) plays an off the wall astrologer and ex-wife of Trintignant and then wife of Chabrol turns up with bulging bust looking extremely sexy. Singer Sacha Distel is another surprising performer and does well as a TV presenter. The action takes place in and around Nice and more particularly around its harbour as a sniper begins to kill, seemingly at random, or 'Without Apparent Motive'.

I had seen this film in a cinema, years ago, when I was a youngster. Now, I have bought the video in a 2nd hand shop, and...

I has been delighted again with:

a) The plot: good thriller about a snipper who kills several high society persons.

b) The actors: Jean-Louis Trintigant is superb as a policeman,engaged in a difficult case. And he runs top speed...

c) The music: Morricone's score is perfect. It goes along very well and underline top moments.

To summarize: highly commandable film.

Jean Louis Trintignant is terrific in this well-plotted and stylish thriller. An investigation of apparently motiveless murders really hits close to home when the former mistress of the detective becomes a victim just minutes after talking to him. The solution to the murders is utterly logical and utterly surprising. Trintgnant has the same magnetic screen presence he had in "Z", but here he actually gets to do things like deliver lines! Dominique Sanda provides the eye-candy. For my money, this was one of the two best thrillers of 1972, the other being Hitchcock's "Frenzy." It doesn't appear to be available on videotape, but if you get a chance to see it, don't miss it.

A sniper is killing off a series of people who seem to be connected in some way. A detective investigating the case seems to come into contact with the victims shortly before they are dispatched.

This is a stylish French murder-mystery set in Nice. It's well served on the acting personnel front. Jean-Louis Trintignant is very good in the central role as the brooding detective; while there is interesting support from others, such Stéphane Audran (leading lady from several Claude Chabrol films) and Jean-Pierre Marielle (who played a memorable flamboyant homosexual private investigator in Dario Argento's giallo Four Flies on Grey Velvet). Another welcome addition is Ennio Morricone's contribution; once again his score is excellent and adds to the atmosphere greatly. The dark story is offset effectively by its beautiful sunny locations too. It adds a bit of glamour to the grime.

Sans Mobile Apparent is a well-constructed mystery with good plotting. It's a movie that is screaming out for a DVD transfer, it's one of the stronger French thrillers from the 70's.