Visually, this movie is a landmark in french cinema. One's got to add that it isn't usual to find a movie like this in Luc Besson's productions. But "Exit" is a reality, and sometimes an interesting movie. But the inevitable flaws of a first work arrive by means of the confusing last acts, just before a final plot twist that nearly salvages them. As I said, visuals keep this from descending into the hole of banality, but the movie has too many dialogue and some suddenly appearing characters that we end up not knowing who they are. Anyway, for those who find it a little bit interesting, it requires a second viewing. Se7en and Silence of the Lambs-influenced fare, but some originality saves it.
6 Reviews
Pretentious and boring.
dbdumonteil3 February 2002
Everything in this work seems to make the viewer believe he's watching an American indie,particularly,as an user has already pointed out,some kind of "eraserhead".But it was more than 20 years ago and it seems now obsolete. The action of the film,which lasts about 110 min all the same,never takes place outside,which gives the impression of watching bad filmed stage drama.We move from the hero's flat to a shrink's consulting room,via a nightclub(?) to wind up stranded in a bathroom! The screenwriters borrow here there and everywhere:outside "eraserhead",we recognize bits of "fight club" and many a serial killer story.The ending has the de rigueur coup de theatre which is so far-fetched it won't keep you awake the whole week.
Interesting story of an ex-mental patient trying to work out if he's a serial killer thats wrecked by terrible pacing
dbborroughs4 June 2006
Strange French film that is tied to Se7en, Silence of the Lambs and other serial killer movies, is disturbing in its own way in that most of the film is the cinematic equivalent to being trapped in the mind of a mentally ill person.
The plot has something to do with Stan, a recently released mental patient trying to get by in the world, while trying to determine if he is in fact a serial killer loose in the French countryside.
Told from the point of view of Stan we are constantly off balance since its clear from the first frame that reality is purely subjective in this tale. For much of the film the director and his crew create very off center images, for example Stan's shrink sits in front of a wall of light boxes on which we see brain scans and x-rays and the film uses the images created by shooting through a fish tank to good effect. The film also resorts to an odd short hand by echoing other (better) serial killer films by having Stan living in a place that is similar to Kevin Spacey's home in Se7en, be interested in photography like the killer in Manhunter not to mention other riffs and rip offs. This isn't as bad as some have made it out to be since the film often uses them to disorienting effect since its clear thats we are no where near Kansas. Frankly having made it to the end I'm not sure what I just saw.
For the most part the film works, unfortunately it has one serious flaw and that is its pacing is way too lack. The film wastes much of its tension and disorientation simply because it doesn't know when to move on to the next thing. I think one's like or dislike of this film will be tied to one's ability to deal with the slow pace. I like the film and can recommend it with the warning that it is a slow movie.
7 out of 10 (its probably really a 6 but there are some images and bits that I really like).
The plot has something to do with Stan, a recently released mental patient trying to get by in the world, while trying to determine if he is in fact a serial killer loose in the French countryside.
Told from the point of view of Stan we are constantly off balance since its clear from the first frame that reality is purely subjective in this tale. For much of the film the director and his crew create very off center images, for example Stan's shrink sits in front of a wall of light boxes on which we see brain scans and x-rays and the film uses the images created by shooting through a fish tank to good effect. The film also resorts to an odd short hand by echoing other (better) serial killer films by having Stan living in a place that is similar to Kevin Spacey's home in Se7en, be interested in photography like the killer in Manhunter not to mention other riffs and rip offs. This isn't as bad as some have made it out to be since the film often uses them to disorienting effect since its clear thats we are no where near Kansas. Frankly having made it to the end I'm not sure what I just saw.
For the most part the film works, unfortunately it has one serious flaw and that is its pacing is way too lack. The film wastes much of its tension and disorientation simply because it doesn't know when to move on to the next thing. I think one's like or dislike of this film will be tied to one's ability to deal with the slow pace. I like the film and can recommend it with the warning that it is a slow movie.
7 out of 10 (its probably really a 6 but there are some images and bits that I really like).
Disturbing and successful
hachez31 July 2000
It appears to me like a good movie because it is very manipulating. we can't guess the end before the last picture. I think about "Silence of the lambs" and "clean shaven". Actors are perfect and Coureau will surprise you. In one world, a good surprise but a strange surprise.
it has its gem, though
aneganov1 August 2003
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