The Crimson Rivers

The first part of the free trilogy of crime thrillers associated with the name of Jean Reno as an investigator of brutal crimes is still a fairly decent film, although it cannot deny the weaknesses that sank the following two sequels. The screenplay is incomplete and clearly does not bother too much with logic in favor of visually striking images and shocking revelations. Additionally, it is clearly inspired by successful overseas thrillers, led by the famous Seven. The attempt to approach Fincher's directorial style is evident from a series of specific scenes. The result is an uneven film with an uncertain ending, but nevertheless, it cannot be denied that it has a number of visually appealing moments and a dark, albeit fluctuating atmosphere. Overall impression: 55%. (24/06/2006)

Kassovitz successfully conveys the dark atmosphere, and Reno and Cassel are charismatic enough to pull the whole film off just fine. But there are some moments, or rather, entire scenes that are so blatantly ripped-off of Se7en that it’s almost embarrassing. The ending is also contrived and full of clichés. It’s a pity, without that it would have been a very good thriller. (04/07/2002)

Perfectly dark atmosphere that can only be maintained until the evidence starts to emerge. Reno and Cassel are great on their own, but the chase with the killer through the apartment really tests the nerves. However, as mystery begins to entangle, everything starts to creak, and after the snowy finale, a bitter taste remains. (26/01/2006)

I like how the movie works. The plot is clever and keeps you in suspense, there are shocking scenes, scenes that can really scare you. Neiman's fear of dogs is an interesting touch and makes the detective more human, with flaws. What spoils the film is a bit rushed ending, which relied too much on a twist that some viewers might say: "Really? Another resolution like that?" It may not appeal to everyone, but the film ends correctly, as well as thrillingly, as it should. (12/01/2014)

It's not bad... In my opinion, Mathieu Kassovitz has managed to very decently dilute the classic action style of decent American editing and the classic French conversational detective story, whilst also not feeling as primly funny as the director of the second film, Olivier Dahan, when trying to evoke a dark atmosphere. Jean Reno and his partner Vincent Cassel get enough space, and Vincent only disappointed me with one thing... he is not as sympathetic as his book counterpart. And that is actually the problem of The Crimson Rivers. Compared to the book, they don't have even half the tension and secrets, the trick with murders comes too soon, and the characters spew the entire deduction at us in confusion in the middle of a car chase. Well, a film is not a book, we all know that, but the adaptation to the script just has a lot of issues... and the "spectacular" and amateurish finale is proof of that. In the book, the awkwardness is somehow lost, but here it hits us over the head mainly thanks to the absolute overacting by Nadia Fares... If you haven’t read the book, you will like The Crimson Rivers a lot, and if you have, you will be somewhat disappointed. But formally, everything is completely fine. (08/02/2006)