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Arsène Lupin (2004)
Arsene Lupin Soars!
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!