First I heard about this film in May and since then I was looking forward to release. And such a long expectation was has justified itself. If it is said about a film that it is made by the same director and with practically the same actors as the “36 Quai des Orfèvres” film, then it can be taken for granted that this particular film is worth watching. Usually it sounds like pure advertisement, but in the “MR 73” case the fact that the plot is based on a true story is one of the key factors of the perception of what is going on on the screen. For there are scenes of borderline cruelty and they are shot with extreme naturalism. Though I think such scenes are on their place, and if they had been excluded, it would have damaged the movie. The rate of violence is exactly of that level a spectator can expect from the police drama of such realistic focus. In case Thackeray’s “Vanity Fair” is a novel without a hero, then “MR 73” can be called a film without a hero. Of course Schneider can account on certain sympathy, but as a whole his methods are inadmissible. I do understand his unwillingness to let Kovalski win laurels, but it is not a proper ground for showing hackles and putting at stake the safety of the city by violating the arrest procedure. After all, what is more important – to stop a maniac or to pay off old scores? Seeing the names of Daniel Auteuil and Olivier Marchal on a DVD box is a quality guarantee for me. Auteuil’s acting is magnificent as always. Schneider is a drastic transformation played brilliantly. Out of his partners I would distinguish Francis Renaud (Kovalski). He is actually not known well in Russia, but I can judge by two films - “MR 73” and “Gangsters” also directed by Olivier Marchal – if there is a need for a real bad, though “bad” is not exactly the word, probably an ugly, vicious and repulsive cop, then there is no better candidacy than Francis Renaud. A rare talent, a born talent I think to play scoundrels. Actually if I wanted, I might find fault with the screenplay. Say, it is not news that the criminal is being exposed by the parallel between homicides and the pets found near the crime scenes. It is rather easy to make a conclusion that a maniac is someone who has an access to these pets or who at least had an opportunity to see them. We have already seen this in “Red dragon”, but let us leave this far-fetched objection. The point is I am inclined to believe that what happens in “MR 73” took place in reality, so it has nothing to do with the imaginary events of Thomas Harris books. The pets that participated in the film, that is the puppy and the cat of enormous size are so sweet, but is has been said long before that if there are animal actors they will inevitably outshine the human ones. Those of “MR 73” were a real treat for spectators, especially the way Auteuil’s hero communicated with them. What the pets do is converting the gloomy atmosphere of the film into something a little bit less depressing.
With “36 Quai des Orfèvres” being my most favorite police drama, I could not but enjoy “MR 73”, and if you also like the previous Auteuil and Marchal common work, their new film will also find its place among your favorites.
With “36 Quai des Orfèvres” being my most favorite police drama, I could not but enjoy “MR 73”, and if you also like the previous Auteuil and Marchal common work, their new film will also find its place among your favorites.