MESRINE: Killer Instinct (Part 1)

          √ Bob Certified

   MESRINE: Public Enemy No. 1 (Part 2)

          Not as compelling, but you’ll welcome more of Vincent Cassel.

         Vincent Cassel, who stars in this two-part film based on the life of a celebrated French gangster named Jacques Mesrine, turns in the kind of electrifying performance that reminds you of a summit meeting between Belmondo (it’s a French film after all) and Mitchum. Director Jean-Francois Richet wisely keeps our attention on Cassel as he becomes seduced by the criminal life in Paris (and elsewhere) in Part 1 and then becomes a prisoner of his own ego in Part 2. Because we don’t know where his story is going to lead us, the opening journey is more successful than the conclusion, which is mostly consumed by him being hunted and caught by the police, then breaking out of prison and being hunted again. The trouble is “Killer Instinct” is so seductive that it’s hard to not want to follow the story to the end in Part 2. Even if “Public Enemy No. 1” is a let-down, you’ll never tire of watching Cassel.

   SOUL KITCHEN

Lite menu.

After seeing this German film, I can understand why I was having trouble figuring out from the reviews just what it was about. It’s not about much at all—though it’s certainly a feel-good experience. The Soul Kitchen is a restaurant (as in soul music, the owner explains, though the specialty isn’t catfish and collard greens). A lot goes on in the place, but little of it requires close attention. The film is mostly about the importance of remaining hopeful even when almost everything around you is falling apart. Within its limits, it’s nicely done.