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"Vidocq" is a French movie, set in 1830. The character of Vidocq is a legendary French person, who has existed for real and founded the "Securité" (probably known from the "Pink Panther" movies). I think many French know the character of Vidocq, and "étranges" don't. So I guess not everyone watching the movie gets the full meaning out of it, because some known facts are only hinted at. Known Facts Vidocq was a criminal, who escaped from jail. Afterwards, he used his criminal connections in the Parisian police force, but was probably blackmailed with his past. After he was fired from the police force, he established a private eye agency. Many cases he solved by using clever disguises. All of this is in the movie, although not that clear. However, the relation between Vidocq and the police force is determined by the role of Vidocq as a criminal turned police detective. Historical background Paris, 1830. Charles X is on his throne in the Louvre, but things are not going well. A revolution is close. The movie does not give backgrounds of the revolution, which is not important. Unfortunately it doesn't even touch the very interesting person of Charles X. The decors, clothing and other stuff make quite a good (dark) atmosphere, although it is unknown to me how much is "contemporary". But it does make a scene to look at closely. Steampunk The house of the Alchemist is a steampunk setting that reminds of Piranesi's "Carceri". Other settings stress smoke and flames and in the lightning lab there are some nice early-Victorian devices to see. The movie is filled with secrets and conspiracies and honest, at the end I didn't know the truth - I should watch it again and again, because the movie has more layers than I can comprehend in one session. Other things The movie was recorded fully digital, which means it never focuses on things on the screen. That gave me a seasick kind of feeling at times. In many action scenes the action is too fast for the camera to follow, so I'm left behind with a whirlwind of images that doesn't make much sense. But the colours are astonishing. Some shots are really amazing. Story Vidocq has died during a fight with a masked person. His biographer wants to know how he has died, so he can finish the biography. But the chief of the police and Vidocq's assistant Nimier are also trying to find out what has killed Vidocq and why. They all end up in strange places, where legends meet reality. In the end, I found the story not very good (I just didn't get the clue), but setting and action are good enough to watch the movie once again. And again. And once more. © Yaghish 2003 |
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Site officiel (Official site of the movie, in french, click Anglais to read the english version) Historical Vidocq Vidocq in the Internet Movie DataBase. According to the DB, there have been more Vidocq movies made Café Vidocq How I got to know about Vidocq  |
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