Viktor

Some people shouldn't direct. Gerard Depardieu stars in this claptrap revenge drama set in his new home nation of Russia, a hamfisted dreck movie in which English is spoken badly (as in bad acting) by all except for Elizabeth Hurley, who is lovely and ostensibly the only cast member with a pulse here. It's poorly shot, poorly lit, with some scenes made patently awful by the fact that Depardieu is sightreading lines inanely from cuecards. His English is famously poor and that is on frank display here. People may be drawn to this film because Russia is on our minds now, and may even think it will have some of the intrigue of "Eastern Promises." Be warned and stay away. Scene continuity is lousy and the storyline too generic to trifle with. How about some real editing? How about some DIRECTING to make this seem like something other than an appalling readthrough? Two stars instead of one merely because of Hurley. Serious moviegoers will be deeply offended by "Viktor," the only film I've even seen that seems to have been all shot in a single awful take.

Unbelievably bad is being colorfully generous. Elizabeth Hurley was the only person "alive" in this movie, and she's probably embarrassed about that. No passion or pulse from anyone else. Wooden dialogue delivered in the same, uninspired, deadening way. In several, if not many of the scenes, Depardieu seemed to be reading lines from a teleprompter off to one side of whoever he was supposedly addressing. No elaboration of any back story. And his mysterious friend from a past life, now living in Moscow who let's him drive his Mercedes in Moscow traffic? Come on. This was a ridiculous effort, probably partial payment of Depardieu in his effort to migrate from France for the tax haven of Russia.

Anyone anxious to see Gérard Depardieu in a Russian movie? He lives there now, so I thought it would be fun to see him in Viktor, a drama about a man seeking revenge for his son's murder. Filmed entirely on location, but spoken mostly in English so you don't have to worry about subtitles too often, you'll get to see the beautiful architecture as well as the breathtaking lush landscape.

The actual plot isn't too complicated, but with four pretty brunette women, all with the same hair color and similar face shapes, and three of them with Russian accents, if you're not really paying attention, it'll get confusing fast. It isn't the best in the world, but Gérard certainly tries to bring humanity into an otherwise violent movie. There are a couple of torture scenes, and a couple of "strict" bad guys who are bad for bad-ness sake, and not really much in it for audience members who don't love Gérard Depardieu. Since I do, I was happy to watch it.

DLM warning: If you suffer from vertigo or dizzy spells, like my mom does, this movie might not be your friend. About 20 minutes in, there's a shot of an intricate ceiling, and the camera spins around in a circle and it will make you sick. In other words, "Don't Look, Mom!"

Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids watch it.

I don't understand why so many people hate this film, or may I say why so few of them came to see it; this movie has the less gross in film history, only 400 dolars n the US territory, and never released in France, even DVD, though starring Gerard Depardieu. No, Don't get it. the photography and aesthetics are very well done, and camera angles awesome. And seeing Gerard Depardieu in a role for Jean Claude Van damme, you have to see it to believe this reality. I agree that Depardieu deserved better than this, but after all, why not? Gruesome torture scènes and a dark atmosphere, only spoiled by a silly and ankward ending.

I would give a point to Elizabeth but for the rest, direction; production; styling and last, acting, nothing!

He may be a 'huge presence' on screen, but GD is woeful in this outing. Reminiscent of the B pictures of yesteryear, it has nothing to recommend you wasting your your time, even to look for a laugh.

Shame on DP to p..s on his audience this time rather than elsewhere.

Popular film makers this bunch of Russian; French and the occasional English are not.

Maybe they should re-issue as B&W? Add something to the sound? Just joking, if ever a movie was a dead duck this is it.

Would bet it will put GD on the last rung of the 'must have a look at the DVD'.