Entertaining Well Crafted Thriller

Rating: 9/10 (15 June 2002)

I saw this movie today.... it was somebody else's choice. How lucky I was. It is thoroughly entertaining and elegant. There is no room for pretentiousness. The relatively fast pace never loses momentum without relying on video-clip type editing which I usually find so annoying. The script is well written, reserved and stripped down to essentials without lapsing into Mamet-styled affectations. Paris looks beautiful in any season.... but one rarely gets to see it so beautiful in winter. It's great to see La Defense on film after so many years of it being there. The acting is superb: the movie is cast from strength. Matt Damon proves to be a very convincing action hero.... certainly stronger than Keanu Reeves or Tom Cruise. His reserve gives the character strength and the right degree of remoteness. His natural charm is held in check. This man is a killer for hire, which in itself assumes a certain insularity in dealing with the world. Everybody else is fine. The score is particularly interesting... relies a lot on clever use of percussion..... my theater had great surround-sound.... it makes a difference.... it reminded me of Stewart Copeland.
The movie conjures an atmosphere of cold objectivity which fits the story perfectly. It gives it a special flavor and makes it the quality entertainment film it is. It's a classy flick. See it in the theatre.