Requiem for a Handsome Bastard (1992) User Reviews

A clever story structure, just like RASHOMON!

[DukeEman · 7/10 · 3 February 2000]

A Rashomon style of film dealing with a convicted murderer on the run after escaping from prison. It takes a while to settle into the clever story structure that hits home with a strong and subtle ending. Powerful performance from Gildor Roy gives it that extra bite.

Very original type of film but is it REALLY like «Rashômon» ?

[legentillucide · 8/10 · 20 March 2008]

«Rashômon» was about 4 CONFLICTING versions about what really happened between 3 men and 1 woman, resulting in a rape and a murder. «Requiem» is about the same chain of events but seen from the different points of view of 8 characters -- not so much conflicting versions as versions stressing each person's «interested and therefore individually focused» view point. Thus, the story is gradually unfolding -- but not necessarily in a linear way. I know that film critic Michel Coulombe might have spread and influenced the rumor as to the similarities between the two films in question (notably, perhaps when he introduced «Requiem», when it was shown on television, namely at Radio-Québec -- now Télé-Québec). Actually, the «grand-daddy» of such «prismatic story telling» might be Ford Maddox Ford's great novel «The Good Soldier» (of which I have not seen the 1981 TV adaptation). But perhaps more memorably, the best and richer example of such a device would be the monumental «Alexandria Quartet», by Laurence Durrell. Although very limited in this latter novel's movie adaptation («Justine», directed by George Cukor, 1969), some variations as to «what really happened» can still be found in it. Note: as good as «Requiem» really is, I think that it might require more than one viewing -- in order to properly understand and put together the different pieces if its fascinating (and sometimes very violent) puzzle. Enjoy...

A great cast

[KidKodak · 26 April 2002]

This is one of Robert Morin's best, along with "Quiconque Meurt, Meurt À Douleur". Gildor Roy offers what I consider to be his best performance ever as Regis Savoie, a dangerous criminal on the loose after breaking out of prison. The character is loosely based on Richard Blass, a well-known criminal in Quebec. In "Requiem", Robert Morin uses camera angles and movements that strongly reflect his video roots. He also has different characters narrate parts of the story, each of them telling their little tidbit of story as seen through their eyes. The casting his what really sets this movie appart. The cast is simply perfect. Even smaller parts are not neglected. This is probably due to the unusual storyline. Since even smaller characters got to narrate the story, Morin took special care to be sure they did a good job.

Film authentic in either language

[ashleystruan · 10/10 · 29 July 2006]

If you want to have a sense of what it is like to be from Montreal, then this is the film for you. Forget about all of the action that takes place, forget that Regis breaks out of jail after 5 years by chance, forget all that. Listen to the dialogue. It is La Joual in French or English and this makes the film unique and remarkable. The swearing is all French, but that is exactly what you will find in a part of town where somebody from east of St. Lawrence Boulevard is in the west end of town, like Pointe St. Charles where plenty of people speak French and English. Lots of swearing, but English is useless to swear in if you are French, and even the average English speaking person will swear in French on the streets of Montreal. What's the movie about? No spoilers here, but this is a hardcore, gritty piece of cinema that could only come from Quebec. Repeat views do not reduce it's effect, but it is not an easy film. It is singular, and every bit a ten out of ten.

The greatest Quebecer film I have ever seen!!!

[Ash-89 · 9 May 2000]

Requiem pour un beau sans-coeur is simply a great film. The story is about a criminal named Regis Savoie who gets out of jail and we see his life from the eyes of many people, each one giving his point of view on the man.The cast is awesome, especially Gildor Roy. The direction is simply wonderful and the script is very good; if you thought Elvis Gratton had the best one-liners in a Quebecer film, simply check this one out you will be very surprised. There are many ones that are truly funny! Overall, a great movie based on a true story also!! ...10/10

Fantastic story plot

[hbrecliner · 27 February 2001]

This is a nice peace of work on the actors part, but it is a tremendous work of art for the story plot. As you go along in the movie, you will see the same scenes again, but this time from the eye of a different character. This may seem repetitive, but you will see that no one scene is alike, because of the character's interpretation of what went down. This is the first movie in which we see these types of flashbacks, and it is amazing what it does to the story line, providing for extra insight on a character.