The Second Wind [DVD] [2007]

Something went wrong with this film and I don't quite know what it was or how it happened. The story is the usual gangland operatics, with guns instead of arias, and certainly like the average opera the uncommitted will always leave the piece thinking that less would have been more, sometimes much more. The actors' skills were strong, with good ensemble playing, but those skills got rather suffocated by the atmospheric sets and lighting, which were wonderful in their own right, and if viewed in the cinema would have been a highlight of the cinema viewing. On DVD the set and lighting perhaps rather undercut the grit in the story of the imprisoned gang boss who escapes and wreaks a trail of havoc behind him in some misguided but personal notion of honour. The music aided the drama a lot, it very much glued together the acting, the sets and the sense of drama and made the scenes in which it featured far more coherent. Eric Cantona is brilliant in it because he was well cast as a heavy/sidekick, I would like to have seen more of him. Monica Bellucci smouldered wonderfully well as the moll/night club owner, Manouche, she had some great costumes too. Her black plastic-look mac was highlight against the perpetual drabs of all the men being well suited, tied, and hatted. The cars in this film are brilliant to see too, and real memory joggers for anyone with a memory of older cars. One small old memory I have is the sound that older cars make when the doors are shut as compared with the smoother sound of car doors today. But Daniel Autiel as the escapee gang boss who was seen to be past his prime struggled to convey the conflict that I assume the character should have had, and for being set in 1958 the whole thing seemed improbably glamorous, but perhaps this was the high living end of gangland. Finally each time a bullet hits a human being the result was savoured in slow motion, with lots of blood coming from the exit points. Once or twice that was okay-if you like that sort of thing-but personally I would have preffered some variety in the ways the increasingly operatic deaths were filmed, it increasingly became a one-note drama. If it ever appears at your local art-house cinema try seeing it there where the gun-shot operatics and small details will make more sense, seem more integrated and will be more absorbing than they are on the small screen. Finally the title let the film down, if the title had reflected the body count, the level of violence in reaching that body count, or the personal struggle of the character Daniel Autiel played as probably described in the book then this film would have had a much more dramatic title and given the project a focus it lacked.

No plot spoilers included.While I have not seen the earlier Jean-Pierre Melville film (1966) of the same story, it is probably safe to assume that this does not measure up to Melville (what does, these days?), but although Corneau's version is a triumph of style over content there is still a lot for fans of French gangster films to enjoy.For a start, the film is tremendously stylish with a striking colour scheme made up of shades of red and green (in the underworld spaces, e.g. the nightclubs, bars, and safehouses), and gold (in the outside spaces such as the countryside in the aftermath of the prison break that opens the film, and in Marseilles where Gu is close to freedom), and also some very elegant (and nifty) camerawork. The costume and set designers have also outdone themselves -the film is beautiful to look at. There is also a very classy cast involved. I would watch Daniel Auteuil in anything but the cast also includes other noteworthy names such as Monica Bellucci (yes, she can act- even if she doesn't need to stretch herself much in this role), Michel Blanc, Jacques Dutronc, Gilbert Melki, Eric Cantona (yes, *that* one), and Philppe Nahon (an appearance by the latter once again indicating that something deeply unpleasant is about to happen).The plot somewhat lets these first-rate actors down, as what could be a straight-forward tale of honour (and the lack of it) among thieves and an older generation finding themselves out of step with the cutthroat youngsters on their way up, becomes increasingly convoluted. It's nearly two and a half hours long, but at several points feels like things have been cut out to reduce the running time -it would almost have been better as a mini series rather than just one film. I should also warn you that it is unexpectedly gory in terms of its violence -you expect people to be shot in a gangster film, but there's quite a bit of overkill going on here (it is squib central). Why have I given it four stars when I have those reservations? Well partly because I can't award stars in half measures (I'd say it's a 3.5 star film) but also because I think it's worth seeing just for the visual luxuriousness on display -there aren't many films being made at the moment that are this sumptuous.

Alain Corneau hatte seine Meriten um den Film polar, den französischen Gangsterfilm also, ja eigentlich schon zu Genüge angehäuft. Mit solch zeitlosen Meisterwerken wie "Police Python 357" oder "Wahl der Waffen" hat er sich einen bleibenden Platz im Parthenon dieser Gattung gesichert. Warum er ausgerechnet auf die Idee kommen musste, Jean-Pierre Melvilles "Der zweite Atem" noch einmal zu verfilmen, das verschließt sich mir wirklich. Ja, natürlich kann man das machen. Aber dann sollte man sich vielleicht die Mühe machen, die Story in die Gegenwart zu transponieren. Aus unerfindlichen Gründen aber lässt Corneau sein Remake ebenfalls Ende der fünfziger Jahre spielen. Unnötig zu erwähnen, was folgt: ein Kulissenfilm, der den Zuschauer mit seinen schier endlosen Filtereinsätzen in den schaurigsten Farben mit seiner aufkommenden Übelkeit allein lässt. Ein paar Möbel machen noch kein Ambiente, und das zieht sich unerträglich von Anfang bis Ende. An den Schauspielern liegt es nicht: Auteuil als Gu Minda, Eric Cantona als Alban, Monica Belluci als Manouche oder Michel Blanc als Blot - kann man alles so besetzen und sie spielen professionell gut. Alles andere ist nur furchtbar.

The other reviewer here has done well, and not much can be added to such a precise review.For me having seen the original & for some years knew of this version but unable to see it until now, I had some hopes for a really good movie. Based on the former movie & actor Daniel Auteuil, as in my opinion is currently the most talented male actor in French cinema!Just see "Mr. 73" or retiled "The Last Deadly Mission" to see a truly terrific performance of a down & out cop on his last legs! And same director I might add! Or "On Guard" or Jean De Florette / Manon of the Spring, Le Huitième jour and Un Coeur en Hiver just to name a few! Nor does he disappoint here, but the movie does!Unfortunately the movie lacks a heart beat, or rather it has low blood pressure. And becomes a monotone & flat mostly thru-out with the exception of the few action scenes that are really terrific!It has Melville's story & most scenes & dialogue reproduced, but it lacks energy to lift it off the screen & get the viewer involved!Daniel Auteuil has the age to play this & in fact is older than Lino Ventura was in the original and his age adds to his world weary escaped prisoner persona! He looks like he needs a Second Wind, but can't find it anywhere!If I where a teacher I'd grade this as "C". And the original as A-minus! You most likely won't find this for rental anywhere as the region 2 precludes that usually. So if you must see it go for it, but don't expect to be blown over by a fast paced action picture!Bon chance!Also, the copy I received from Amazon itself, via a vendor selling Amazon Fulfilled products was a region 1. I was expecting a region 2 & have a region free player, but received a R.1. And the art work on the DVD cover is different from the product page; see my added photos. So you may want to contact a vendor or two to check and see just what version they carry. Perhaps you can purchase a R.1 for your player!