Arsène Lupin (2004) User Reviews

Interesting beginning, the rest is simply outrageous!

[UnlimitedPower · 4/10 · 8 March 2005]

"Arsen Lupin" and "Immortel" were among the films that i went to see during the French Film festival in Belgrade. While i immortel left a good impression on me Arsen Lupin got me and a couple of my friends laughing. Here's why: First of all, "The Adventures of Arsen Lupin" are a series of books which tell a story of a Gentleman Thief in the 19th century. The books are enjoyable if you are a fan of romantic-adventure novels.

The film tries to squeeze a few of these books into a whole. This was in my opinion a mistake from the start. The film starts unwinding at about the 1 hour mark and keeps unwinding for another hour, meaning that its ending for a whole hour. The scenes quickly jump from one thing to another not explaining the who or why, characters come and go, places, things, details... After an hour or so you can't even remember what happened 2 minutes ago and frankly you stop caring since the plot makes 360 degree turns every frame. Instead you catch yourself enjoying the unbelievable plot twists and the speed at which they unfold in a bad way, I had the whole cinema laughing throughout the second part of the film. All the characters are switched around, so in the end his father is trying to kill him (WHY?!), oh yeah and he is searching for this treasure which is shown by placing certain crosses together.

Also he seems to be in love with a witch/devil character who tries to use him but doesn't, then does and so on... Another comic character was the witch's henchman who had a metal plate covering half of his face, his role is also unclear. The costumes and scenery are very well done but they don't do much to fix the script, editing and awful directing. The first half of the film starts out slow and slightly boring but the second half is fast, confusing and outright funny. I loved laughing my head off at the unbelievable plot twists in the second half of the film. Otherwise its not worth seeing this film.

Dude, WTF?

[ziquemu · 4/10 · 28 March 2005]

... or whatever the French equivalent would be ("mec, que est-ce qu'ils ont pense quand ils ont cree cette film?"). I was actually in Paris when this premiered. It's like six stories in one, and every time you think it ends, it just keeps on going on. We even get Knights Templar thrown in at what we think is the end, but then we move on to historic events.

The idea is great -- the gentleman thief. It's just over-over-over explained. Cinematography is quite good -- nice look and feel for old Paris. However, editing leaves something to be desired. And yes, Kristen Scott Thomas speaks very good French (well, actually, I'm not one to really judge -- sounded good to me). A nice effort that could have been a truly entertaining film if not written by a team of seven writers not in communication with each other (or so it seemed).

And one last thing -- the thief thing is a little ridiculous. The guy goes into a room, women are wearing enormous ostentatious necklaces and earrings, and they never notice him basically ripping these off of them. I think there was some sort of sensory deprivation problem back then (perhaps "touch" hadn't yet been discovered), so that might have made it easier for our pal Arsene. Otherwise, I have no explanation.

So, if you want to see a recent French film with good production value and practice your French, enjoy. If you want to see a good French film, there are many many other films more worth your time.

So disappointing

[alf-50 · 5/10 · 15 December 2005]

I guess it's not that easy to make a 1-2 hours script on such a character, but I'm afraid that the choices made by the production were wrong from the start.

This movie tries to depict how Arsène Lupin became who he is. It tries to give some of the keys which lead him to his extravagant life. But even in this attempt, everything is wrong. Arsène does not kill ? OK. But this is given to the viewer as a fact from the beginning. And the whole film tends to push him into criminal revenge for all the bad people he has to suffer from. I mean by this that his character is already forged, so the movie does not hint you how, and, on the contrary, everything that happens to him leads to no consequence about it. Then, what's the point ?

The way I picture Arsène Lupin is as a very smart gentleman. Even if he is nothing but a bad boy originally. This is why the choice of Romain Duris surprises me a lot. He seems like a good actor, but he looks much more as a bad boy than as a smart English gentleman. He's got a forced smile on a tough face, when Lupin always has this mocking smile. I agree though that this point could be discussed for hours as the original book character was a bit of both.

Finally, Lupin's character, even if he's an opportunist guy is very clever and usually thinks ahead a lot. He is not the kind of guy to run straight ahead inside a trap. I would have liked to see more "Ocean's Eleven" in it. In this movie, he is more reacting to the events than making them happen the way he planned it.

All in all, it's a nice movie with good acting and nice sets (I've been very surprised with the "Place de l'opera" with a 19xx look), but it is not very fair to the quality of the book character.

Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader?????

[dbdumonteil · 8 December 2005]

Maurice Leblanc means a lot

of things to me: I've read all his novels .Strange how little by little,they became very mysterious with an extraordinary sense of wonder whereas the first books were simple detective stories.

That Jean-Paul Salome who butchered Belphégor just a couple of years before can tackle one of the most original series of books of the genre can strike horror into your heart.And however,in spite of a very poor rating at my time of writing,I will say that it's not that much bad after all.

The actors are generally well chosen ,particularly Scott-Thomas ,the ideal countess.And the cast includes such luminaries as Matthieu Carrière and Robin Renucci .And the budget-which does not guarantee quality anyway-is not exactly what you call low-.Showing Lupin's childhood is not very new:see The Saint and Indiana Jones for that matter,not to mention good old Sherlock Holmes.And what 's amazing,for a character and adventures that are French French French (not to say Norman )to the core ,we have often the strange feeling of watching a made-in -Hollywood movie.

Anyone who knows Leblanc's books will notice that ,although Salome and his script writers adapted "La Comtesse de Cagliostro" ,they also borrowed from other books: "l'Aiguille Creuse" ,"Le Bouchon de Cristal" (Renucci's eye) ,"813" (the banker's name is none other than Kesselbach and the safe combination is of course 813!"and even "la Cagliostro Se Venge" which showed the son (Clarisse's and Arsene's) fighting against the father (Arsène).And other users will probably find other snatches taken from other Leblanc 's books.The screenplay becomes some kind of jumble in spite of Salome's good intentions and what was finally a good idea to use elements from other stories became a terrible mess. :for example,I cannot forgive Salome for botching the scene when Lupin visits the famous Etretat Aiguille Creuse(there's a Lupin museum there in that Etretat town).

In the movie Beaumagnan is Lupin's father -which is very difficult to accept - whereas in the novel he was simply his rival.It seems that the writers found their inspiration in "Star Wars" ,and their fights on the lighthouse or on the Aiguille Creuse make me think of Luke and Darth .

Too many things happen,and it's sometimes hard to catch up with the plot,which is most of the time complicated instead of complex .

Leblanc's books are deceptive:it is hard to transfer them to the screen badly (and Salome's movie,I say it again,has qualities:splendid settings ,nods to the readers, a good tempo)while being harder still to transfer them well.Even such a veteran as Jacques Becker failed ;the TV series 1971-1974 were an absolute nadir.The best came in the late seventies/early eighties with the made-for -TV 'L'Ile aux Trente Cercueils" and "Arsène Lupin Joue et Perd (813)"with an infinitely lower budget than Salome's extravaganza.

Entertaining movie,but we are still waiting for the MOvie which will do Leblanc justice.

Where did the budget go ...?

[stuart-mcalister · 1/10 · 12 December 2005]

This has to be one of the worst films from the French stable in many years. With the look of a big-budget national blockbuster, it soon became evident that most of the cash must have been spent on lunch. In parts, the editing was furious but the rhythm was broken on more than one occasion. In effect, the film had been mauled by an axeman of the first order. The supporting cast did their best to keep the plot together. An exterior scene at the Opera House was proof that limited filming permits mean a rushed job. I sat through it, convinced that like a fine wine, it would improve with age. I found it corked. And Romain Duris was the biggest cork ever to have been pulled. If you have nothing better to watch, read a book.

Boring to the bone!

[madambaterflaj · 6/10 · 3 February 2005]

For all that money invested in the film, it could have really included a lot more intriguing plot than a Satan-faced diva in perpetual search of her final goal which is... what actually? And all those endings, just when you're about to get up from the seat and leave the cinema with your face in agony thinking it's all over, no, your blissful sense of relief won't appear... not yet... the film over-culminates and looks like a huge wedding chocolate cake with fruits and jelly and cream and nuts, and caviar and oysters on top of it. In other words, too much, and completely without any purpose. If you want to watch beautiful pictures for more than two hours (btw, it feels like it lasts more than three), see the film at home, with some music on.

Disappointed

[morbidasperge-1 · 5/10 · 13 February 2005]

Romain Duris, the little schoolboy from l'Auberge Espagnole, in the skin of the "Gentleman Cambrioleur" is a little more than I could take. I could not recognize the man from "L'Aiguille Creuse", "Le Mystérieux Voyageur", "Le Collier De La Reine" and "La Comtesse De Cagliostro" which are the stories mixed in together in the movie. Some characters are reinvented or mixed in with different concepts which are too much to swallow. Why not sticking to the story if you're not going to make t better?

There is however good playing, Kristin Scott Thomas is awesome as the countess. And even though Arsene lacks the class and style one is entitled to expect, Romain Duris have some very good moments.

Mystery among diamonds

[Enchorde · 7/10 · 27 September 2009]

Recap: Little Arsene grows up on a French mansion but both his father and mother is poor. It's the mothers sister that controls all the wealth. And one day, his father, a kick-box teacher, get accused of being a thief. He flees, and Arsene and his mother get thrown out. But not before Arsene's father passes his legacy, being a thief, and Arsene steals the family heirloom. From that day, Arsene's fate is set. He becomes a master thief and pick pocket. But suddenly he meets with his cousin, and he becomes tangled up in a complot to overthrow the republic. And above all, in the search for the hidden treasure of the royal family.

Comments: This is a very elegant movie, especially because it is stuffed with jewels from Cartier. But also because of the elegance of the character Arsene's gentleman ways of relieving the women of their jewelry.

It's a really nice story, a combined story of the elegant master thief and treasure hunt. Throw in some elements of something like magic and sorcery, and a few twists of the story and you got yourself a pretty good and entertaining movie.

Unfortunately the twists are a little too obvious a little too early to be really surprising, as intended. And the mystic sorcery parts doesn't quite fit with the rest of the story, and are never really explained. Also some of the main characters motives remain somewhat unclear, and that is never good.

Fortunately Romain Duris and Eva Green (in an early role) cast a spell over everything that almost cover these holes up. But it is only almost. They keep nagging at the edges in an otherwise solid and good movie experience.

7/10

So much potential, so few achieved

[mintho · 3/10 · 5 May 2006]

This movie has one of the worst adapted scripts I've ever seen. To be honest, I've never read any original novel, so maybe it would be easier to follow the movie for me if I did, but that can't be the objective of any film. The movie has a lot of things going for it. It has nice costumes and sets and it really delivers this 1900 atmosphere. Plus, the idea of a gentleman thief could really be promising.

But oh my god, how bad is that script...It looks like they had three scripts from which they chose whatever they thought to be the best, leading to a series of events that doesn't make a whole lot of sense. All the time during this movie you keep asking yourself: How did they get there? What are they doing there? Why are they doing what they are doing?

There is just too much going on. There are two girls, two villains (actually there are three, as it turns out that Beaumagnan isn't really working for the royalists) and there are at least three endings of which the final one is the most disappointing of them all. So as you can imagine, there is no time to properly introduce all the characters, let alone develop the different strands of the plot.

Arsene Lupin in a try for epic movie, smart move????

[vollenhoven · 7/10 · 28 July 2005]

Might contain some spoilers.

In this vehicle from 2004, we get after the movie Vidocq, we get the next hero from the old days. Arsene Lupin the French counterpart of the English gentleman thief Raffles, while Raffles adventures are limited Arsene had a long list of books they could film.

This movie however took the road of an epic movie, it cuts through the life of Arsene to highlight one of his great adventures and thereby leaving out the portion what made the man so charming namely his gentleman thiefery adventures. Yes we get a little peak of a few episodes but mostly AL is busy not stealing in the most genial ways but having a grand adventure. Is the movie therefor less entertaining, no it is not as epic adventure stories go it is a nice and fun movie that uses this classic hero in a positive way. It fails to deliver the gentleman thief however, which is one of the reasons why I like the character.

However the main character monsieur Lupin does strike me as a Vincent Cassel light, he does his job well enough but he's for me not powerful enough. Kristin Scott Thomas is besides a gorgeous woman also a devil in this movie, she gives the movie it's strength (bond villains have a look here how it's done). her part also gives the movie that fantasy aspect that does sit rather well in this story. Eva Green is a vision of loveliness so when the inevitable moment comes you really care.

The movie moves in a decent enough pace, gives us a great and luscious view of old France with some great set pieces like Paris. Greatly filmed and delivers a nice enough epic movie that could have used a little less epic.

I hope that the next movie is a we bit scaled down in size and centers more upon the character Lupin as a master Thief.

And I am now actually looking forward to that moment that is bound to come when the French cinema has a new shot at Fantomas (French greatest villain ever). I feel that the popularity movies as Vidocq & Arsene Lupin will undoubtedly make way for this title.

Perhaps it is time for the UK to dust of their epic hero's like Allan Quartermain (with a preferable SC) or Raffles.

If you like any of the last suggestions make your nose tingle it is a sure sign you most probable going to enjoy Arsene Lupin. Enjoy, I did.

Two halves one was really good the 2nd was crazy.

[donmarat · 5/10 · 18 October 2012]

First of all, the 2 hours movie is enjoyable,, at least until the last hour.. Things start good ,, the build up,, the story line,, the characters.. all good. Then they stat the main adventure of the "treasure" thing! . Anyhow it keeps getting better.. then... then... all of the sudden, things change... and that's the second half.

In the second half you don't know what the hell is happening! he loves this, then sleeps with that and loves her, she betray him, then not, then yes, then back to the first, then his father, then the treasure, then the woman, then the father, the witch, the crosses.. OMG .. it just kept going on and on!!! Every time you think this is the final scene they start a new thing, so there is a moment where you just don't give a damn about the story you just watch a twist after twist. No honestly, you will think the movie ended several time then!! Voilaaa.. it's on again!!

That was crazy, enjoyable, fun yea.. but too much that I feel I got old now!!

Very entertaining and a worthy movie adaption

[Silvana-Leiss · 9/10 · 2 August 2005]

I really had to laugh out loud at some of the complaints about this movie. It is really a mystery to me how someone paying attention to the movie could be confused by it? And while I admit indeed that there was more story and story twists in this movie, then in maybe 5 "great Hollywood productions" such as Spiderman put together...well, that's a part of the books, too! When reading a Lupin book it is never advisable to get used to things staying as they are! Arsene Lupin himself is one of the most dynamic characters that ever existed! I watched this movie at the Fantasy Film festival, and I enjoyed it immensely. So they took some story bits from different books, who cares? The story is nevertheless continuous and quite understandable, if one is ready to apply a bit more brainmatter to it than to ..say.."The Hulk"! The costuming and setting was splendid, and the whole tone was very fitting for the time in which it is supposed to play. Of cause no movie will ever truly incorporate all that is Arsene Lupin, it is simply impossible. Not just because of the different medium, but also because of the growing difference in thinking that characterizes the current time and the time in which it was written. The idea of a brilliant and gallant master thief itself will stay the same, but the habits, interaction with society's members and all that are so definite and important for Arsene Lupin, that leaving them in might confuse the mass audience, and leaving them out would destroy the Character. If anyone wants a Lupin for current times they may look for Lupin Sansei (supposed to be his grandson^^), and Simon Templar might be a sort of poor substitute, too. However, the original Arsene Lupin is a legend of his own time, and that description should make matters clear for anyone. oh, and the 9/10 is because indeed some of the effects were executed a bit poorly, especially the odd "zoom" at the aiguille creuse.

Lush, sweeping and epic...

[tim-764-291856 · 7/10 · 7 May 2012]

Firstly, I've not read the novel, nor seen previous adaptations of this famous French yarn. Therefore, I had no preconceived ideas or notions, nor could I compare it. I saw it on the excellent satellite TV French film channel, Cinemoi.

French films are often low budget, intimate and charming relationship dramas. This, however, is as big budgeted, grand and sweeping as any Hollywood fare, with a superbly rousing score from British composer Debbie Wiseman. The opening scenes are dashing and daring and sets one up for an exciting film. If you thought that only the Brits can pull off a decent period drama, then this, with its superb cinematography will have you swooning.

Romain Duris is suitably dark'n'dashing as the hero in question and Kristen Scott-Thomas, whom I've not always liked, plays Joséphine, the comtesse de Cagliostro that he is seduced by. Lupin's antics, with daring stunts and disguises then start to roll into each other and the story became less clear for me, though it always retains its rollicking fun and adventure.

Whether or not, this version is faithful to the original, or is any better or worse than the previous film versions (one of which, from 1932 starred John Barrymore) I cannot say. For me though, I was pleasantly and solidly entertained and whilst it lost ground in the middle for me, I enjoyed it.

terrible

[leslieaimeemartin · 1/10 · 2 July 2005]

This movie is an embarrassment to French cinema. It seems to have stolen the worst ideas of Hollywood movies in trying to make a French blockbuster. Gratuitous special effects and bombastic music fail to distract the viewer from the flashy, shallow, and convoluted storyline. The movie starts slow, almost too slow, and then by the end whips into a frenzy where the filmmakers have tried to stuff everything and the kitchen sink both to forestall any misgivings by the viewer and to allow for the possibilities of endless sequels.

The role of Arsène was very poorly cast. The only saving graces to this movie are Kristen Scott Thomas and the beautiful landscapes of Normandy. Yet somehow this movie managed to make even Étretat, the focus of Monet's famous paintings, look fake.

Most under-rated film of the festival

[MRSMB85 · 23 September 2004]

Spectacular production of a novel written by Maurice Leblanc about the character, Arsene lupin, known perhaps to many Europeans and video game addicts, but not much to the rest of the film-going community. Great for Saturday afternoon film going and very much unlike any French produced film I've seen before. Young actor, Romain Duris, does a decent job of portraying Arsene Lupin in his youth and early beginnings as a gentleman thief. It's very difficult to take your eyes off him. He plays the part more as a modern day version of the old-fashioned character - grungy and hairy and all that. Up and coming young actress, Eva Green, plays his childhood sweetheart with just the proper amount of restrain. Overall a finely tuned performance. Kristin Scott Thomas plays the Countess of Cagliostro and outrightly steals the movie. She is no match for the gentleman cambrioleur. Anyone familiar with her other films will not recognize her as the exotic, over-sexed and murderous femme-fatale. It's a multi-dimensional and very soulful performance. The rest of the cast provide superlative work. I'm sure there will be lots of comparisons to Indiana Jones. However, the difference here is the well written and intelligent screenplay. The French has finally come up with their version of an action adventure that everyone can enjoy, but doesn't insult your intelligence.. I didn't think they were capable. A most enjoyable film to watch.

the plot is told very badly, in a complicated way.

[donalexei · 3/10 · 14 June 2005]

I really didn't like this film, the actors aren't so bad, but the story is so twisted and boring and the director has managed to complicate it so much so uselessly that I really wanted to get out of the cinema (although I had been invited by a friend of mine).

The only actual good bit of the film was the exterior sets of Paris, well done on screen (I live in Paris).

The music is barely there and when it is, you want to block you're ears.

So really, if you ever want to see this film because you want to improve your french or something, go and see a Clouzot or a Truffaut, otherwise you'll be just wasting your time.

I'm giving this film 3/10 because I'm on holiday and in a good mood.

Not as bad as everyone seems to think

[El_Mendigo · 7/10 · 8 May 2009]

I just finished watching this movie and I'm pretty surprised with all the low ratings. Sure it was a little confusing, but this was probably due to the fact that I could only watch this movie in french with french subtitles knowing very little french and, despite this, the only part of the movie I didn't really understand was the ending.

I don't really have any complaints about the acting or anything. Some people were complaining that it was unrealistic the way he stole womens jewellery right off their neck without them noticing and sure it's "fake" and all, but it's a movie.

I'm not really that much of a Lupin connoisseur so I can't really comment on how loyal it was to the books and such. I enjoyed the movie although it was a little bizarre and at times perhaps a little cheesy, but I still think this is worth watching.

Gave Up After an Hour..

[sandhan-52072 · 1/10 · 24 September 2021]

Wasn't sure if this was meant for teenagers or adults.. it was so silly.

Was it meant to be a comedy? It was certainly a farce

I mean at one point they set sail in a small sailing boat that becomes a massive canal barge by the time they arrive in Paris.. .

Just one of so many inconsistencies in the editing and plot that no wonder people were confused..

Best part was Pascal Gregory and he disappered way too soon ... gave up after he died.

There is more...

[johnathan2012 · 7/10 · 3 September 2012]

Hey kids, Did I miss something? How come we're not mentioning, e.g., Arsene Lupin Returns – 1938 – Melvyn Douglas and William Warren? And other Arsene flix that are extremely entertaining and the ORIGINAL Arsenes? At least you did mention(?) the writer of the original Maurice Leblanc. I glanced at some of the reviews and noticed the criticism that this flick was too much. An attempt at including too much 'stuff.' These characters should not be subjected to cloned Batman or Star Wars characters. They stand on their own. Give us the original film noir characters. And what about the Lone Wolf series? The English translation. A lot of good stuff here. This could be a good franchise. Holmes and Bond are still going strong. Let's put some French in there also.

Which Witch?

[writers_reign · 4/10 · 10 September 2005]

As is often the way if you try to be everything to everyone you wind up being nothing to no one. Assuming that we actually needed another take on this character - who, especially in France, has been as well documented on celluloid as Sherlock Holmes, Maigret, Raffles or even Tarzan - then we could have started with someone a tad more credible. Romain Duris is one of those actors (Vincent Cassell and Benoit Magimal are others) cursed or blessed depending on your point of view with a built-in insolent, arrogant expression that probably makes certain females roll over and play dead but makes me reach for the sick bag. The script does him no favours by jumping about like a Time Traveller and invoking echoes of The Maltese Falcon and The Da Vinci Code via a Masonic cum Knights of Templar outfit and crucifixes instead of black birds. On balance it's risible more than thrilling and/or scary which is the wrong response to this type of fare. As others have remarked here the viewer is constantly conscious of time passing non-fruitfully.

Not exactly a steal, but a decent thrill

[KingProjector93 · 6/10 · 2 December 2014]

Sort of a biopic-mystery based on France's most iconic literary criminal, the 2004 'Lupin' charts the gentleman thief's life from childhood to a youth of crime, where he (Romain Durais) becomes entangled in the machinations of a mysterious Countess (Kristin Scott Thomas), and a hunt for a rare treasure that spans years, in which time, he becomes romantically involved with an old childhood flame (Eva Green).

Jean Paul Salome's adaptation can certainly be admired for its ambition, being an amply budgeted French action-adventure film, but ultimately suffers from an indecisive script that wants to be the Jack-Of-All-Trades/definitive Lupin film. It goes from simple popcorn treasure hunt fun, to a family drama to a romance to some kind of alternate history biopic, with the last 20 minutes feeling especially really rushed, and showing a lack of faith for the possibility of a sequel and future tales in the titular thief's life. It's as if they spent all this money and were so afraid the film would fail that they just squeezed everything that they could in from the various novels by Maurice LeBlanc to cover every facet of Lupin's adventures.

Despite this though, and barring the final 20 minutes, the film still manages to be an enjoyable romp that is technical proficient. We even have some well shot action and good effects, such as a rather impressive bombing in a Parisian restaurant. On the acting front, Durais makes for a capable and energetic Lupin, and distinguished English actress Scott Thomas has a ball as the scene stealing villain/lover of Lupin. And hey, we even have a younger Eva Green here, so that's a nice bonus. And the icing on the cake is the majestic score by Debbie Wiseman. Dear Lord, this may be one of my favourite scores from 2004: it's stylish, sexy, mysterious and often very exciting, very befitting a film about a master criminal.

In the end, this 'Lupin' may not quite get away with it, but enough strong elements overcome a cumbersome screenplay to make this a heist worth at least one try for those who want to see a more fun side of European cinema.

We walked out

[scraunch · 1/10 · 11 September 2005]

We laughed in the wrong places, I briefly fell asleep in the middle of the film, and then we left before the end. What can I say? A boring, insane mess. I did not care about any of the characters, probably since the back story was so limited and rushed. I did not care what happened in the inane plot, or who was good or bad. I also didn't think the visuals were all that stunning. The film did look expensive, but big deal. The same thing happened in every scene (that I was awake to watch): Arsene came bursting into a room/train/masked ball/etc. Revolvers blazed. Kirstin Scott Thomas ran around, and/or stabbed someone in the neck. Arsene's girlfriend screamed "Ar-SENE!" A group of identical-looking old guys with mustaches ran around. Someone stole a golden cross. Repeat 1,000 times. Zzzzzzzzzz!

Arsene Lupin Soars!

[khocht · 8/10 · 13 October 2004]

Jean-Paul Salome (director) introduced his movie at the Toronto Film Festival (September 17, 2004) by saying: 'I did not want to make a popcorn movie but a champagne movie!'

The champagne splashed on the screen in a lavish production that honored the original material from which it was adapted. The opening titles with rolling letters on a background of sparkling diamonds looked luscious. They gave way to thumping horse hoofs racing on the ground. A first scene, that establishes the speed and swiftness with which Salome will tell his story. We first meet Arsene as a young boy being tutored by his father first in sports then in thievery. The gendarmes fail to capture Arsene's father in a well-choreographed fight scene. Arsene is orphaned: his father is mysteriously murdered and his mother dies in the hands of the gendarmes. Arsene makes his living as a thief. Arsene's cousin Clarisse shows love and devotion for him. She makes effort to help and reform him. Arsene encounters Josephine Comtesse de Cagliostro in a frightful interrogation scene involving conspiring royalists. He risks his own life to rescue her from drowning in the sea. Arsene is totally infatuated with her. She is evil and corrupting. They join forces on a treasure hunt involving three missing crucifixes. The murderous Beaumagnan stands in their way.

The movie is a truly sumptuous production reminiscent of Hollywood blockbuster action films. We see Arsene in Tarzan style swing from the ceiling of the cathedral of Rouen to sweep a crucifix. We see Arsene in Indiana Jones style racing on a horse to jump on a moving train. We see dazzlingly choreographed fights. We see spectacular explosions worthy of a James Bond movie. We see the Paris of the Belle Epoch recreated in all its breathtaking glory. We see the beauty of Normandy showcased in extravagant shots. We see the great needle of Etretat. We see a fabulous ball with beautiful ladies in white soirée dresses and men in tails. We see a sumptuous ocean liner celebrating the birth of a new year. We see Arsene Lupin as we have never seen him before: an action hero, young, impulsive and still learning his craft.

I truly liked Romain Duris as a young Arsene Lupin. He acted his role with a well-balanced mix of humor, smugness and self-assurance. The dexterity and smoothness with which he moved his hands and fingers to steal jewelry from around the necks and wrists of his hapless victims was impressive. His dark rough looks and slender figure are very much the Arsene Lupin I imagined when I first read the novel many years ago. Kristin Scot Thomas certainly steals the show as the seductive and lethal Comtesse de Cagliostro. She was the right age and possesses the physique and looks needed for her role. Eva Green as Clarisse was a breath of fresh air among all those nasty murderous thugs surrounding her. She has the face of an angel and was able to bring a touch of tenderness and decency to the dark story. Pascal Greggory as Beaumagnan in one word was fabulous: evil, corrupted and hopelessly incorrigible.

Even though Salome was somewhat faithful to his adaptation of the original novel, he took many liberties with many incidents and events. He attempted to give us the entire life of Arsene Lupin from a little boy to an older man in one single movie. He borrowed elements from many other stories and incorporated them within his movie. Some of the stories he borrowed from include: The Queen's Necklace, The Arrest of Arsene Lupin, The Hollow Needle, The Crystal Stopper, and 813. He even attempted to change history and make us believe that the attack on Archduke Franz Ferdinand took place in Paris. Salome certainly did his homework and showed great knowledge about Arsene Lupin and his various adventures. Sadly this extensive borrowing from so many other stories will certainly limit his choices for future movie adaptations.

In conclusion, I very much liked the movie. The story was fast moving and flowed smoothly. The scenes were beautifully photographed with quick camera movements. The musical score by Debbie Wiseman soared high and complimented the fast action. The sets were lavish, the actors were great and the special effects were fantastic. The use of the three crucifixes together to unravel the mystery of the treasure was clever and innovative. I highly recommend this movie. Without a doubt, it will produce many new fans of Arsene Lupin and will entice many to read the original works of Maurice Leblanc. Good job Jean-Paul Salome!

A fictional Tale of Maurice Leblanc of his immortal burglar character Arsene Lupin, highly underrated!!

[elo-equipamentos · 7/10 · 18 February 2023]

The gentleman burglar Arsene Lupin is a fictional tale created by Maurice Leblanc of series of novels over this self-called hero, in turn of twenty century at France, those novel at its time had an awesome best-selling, being carried to big screen in 2004 keeping the gist of the belle epoque whereby Arsene Lupin belongs, supported by a strongest casting and mystery.

Arsene is raised by his fatherThéophraste Lupin his mother Henriette at Castle's affluent aunt married with powerful Le Duc de Dreux-Soubise and his young cousin Clarisse until the French's army discovered that Lupin actually is a jewel's thief, he got runaway, but his family is banned from the castle, in the middle of the way he found his father dead, now a grow up guy continues follow father's steps, he got a rare skill of sticky finger to withdraw the jewel from the ladies without noticed, he visited his dying mother at hospital and meeting Clarisse, a charming girl the old recollections are rose again from past life.

Then enter a mysterious woman Josephine (Kristin Scott Thomas) Comtesse of Cagliostro, that remains younger due a secret portion of reinvigoration, meanwhile a plot is settled aiming for to became France once more in a Monarchical regime by disgruntled aristocrats, they need found out three crucifixes that gathered all them could indicate the exactly spot where the King's gold were hidden before revolution, at gold's hands they should start a war against the newest republic and stablish a new kingdom.

Among all happenings Lupin looking for his father's assassin, somewhat he is between the enchants of Josephine and against the aristocrats, however many twists coming over, Arsene Lupin is an auspicious tale of mystery, mixing sorcery, vengeance and putsch among rarest sexy scenes, the outcome wasn't enough satisfactory, leaving in the air a possible sequel, that didn't happen until now, enjoyable and utterly underrated!!

Thanks for reading.

Resume:

First watch: 2010 / Source: DVD / How many: 2 / Rating: 7.25.

action movie french-style

[maxgnu · 5/10 · 12 October 2004]

I have just seen this film, and I have mixed feelings about it. There are some very nice scenes, especially when Lupin plays the lovable smartass (excuse my french), but then it gets overlong and the plot gets too convoluted for a general audience's taste... should have stayed simpler, it would have been better.

Instead, it turns into one of those recent french-style action movies, where they must fill in a special effect or two, and turn everything into a Gothic play. This makes the film heavier than it should be. That said, the lovely Eva Green looks lovelier as ever, but I wouldn't be surprised if box office for this title would be disappointing, especially abroad.