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The Crimson Rivers (2001)
Runtime: 1 hr 45 mins
Synopsis:
Two criminal investigations. The same day. Two detectives are assigned two very peculiar cases...
An action thriller set in against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Alps, "The Crimson Rivers" stars Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel in a gripping who-dunnit involving a series of...
Two criminal investigations. The same day. Two detectives are assigned two very peculiar cases...
An action thriller set in against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Alps, "The Crimson Rivers" stars Jean Reno and Vincent Cassel in a gripping who-dunnit involving a series of grisly murders, a child's death twenty years earlier, and the secret history of a small town.
Veteran cop Pierre Niemans (Jean Reno) is sent to Guernon to investigate a bizarre murder near a legendary private school isolated in the Alps. And it's no ordinary murder; the killer has been very methodical, leaving twisted, inexplicable clues to his motive. Complicating matters are the university administrators who are uncooperative and somewhat defiant to Niemans' questioning. Meanwhile Max Kerkerian (Vincent Cassel), an impetuous young cop and former car thief, arrives at a desecrated graveyard 180 miles away. Someone has disturbed the grave of a child who died twenty years ago.
These two seemingly random events are about to collide as the separate investigations lead the detectives right to one another. The more experienced Niemans begrudgingly joins forces with the brash Max to track down the killer. Despite his constant ribbing and sarcastic banter, Max respects the older cop. The two crimes are most assuredly linked - but how? And what do they have to do with the genetic research department at this legendary university and its odd inhabitants? What could the prestigious school possibly have to hide?
As the two men begin to work together they realize that charisma isn't the only trait they share. With sharp instincts, professional cunning and a willingness to risk everything to solve the case, Niemans and Max are more alike than either would care to admit - a fact they come to rely on as the investigation continues. As the killer leaves increasingly gruesome clues and they near the terrible truth, the dangers multiply - along with the human cost. The men are led to a final showdown on the deadly mountain, trapped between icy heights and death's door.
Based on the novel by Jean Christophe Grange, "The Crimson Rivers" is directed by Matthieu Kassovitz and produced by Alain Goldman. The script is written by Grange and Kassovitz. Tristar will release the film in New York and Los Angeles on June 29th.
"The Crimson Rivers" is in French with English subtitles. -- © 2001 Columbia Pictures
Genre: Dramas
Starring: Jean Reno, Vincent Cassel, Nadia Fares, Dominique Sanda, Jean-Pierre Cassel
Screenwriter: Mathieu Kassovitz
Producer: Alain Golman
Composer: Bruno Coulais
DVD Info
Release:
Apr 10, 2002
DVD Features:
- Region 1 Encoding
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 2.0- English
- Dolby Digital 5.1- French
Additional Release Material:
- Audio Commentary- 1. Mathieu Kassovitz and Cast
- Trailers
- Featurette- 1. THE INVESTIGATION (Making Of CRIMSON RIVERS)
- 2. Four Additional Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
Interactive Features:
- Interactive Menus
- Scene Selection
Text/Photo Galleries:
- Filmographies
Reviews
A preposterous drama that falls well short of the Hollywood thrillers it slavishly emulates.
Conclusively proves Gallic filmmakers can make a movie equally as bad as the worst stuff churned out by their American counterparts.
It has good tough-cop banter, a couple of satisfying action scenes ... and a load of plot twists you won't see coming.
Un interesante thriller sangriento que muestra que el género no está muerto, y que los franceses saben hacerlo increíblemente bien.
A film more likely to make scratch your head than bite your nails all the way home.
I cherish the rush I got, and I can only laugh at all the problems I came up with when I thought the movie through.
The film has a finely tuned drive, an intriguing build in its plot, and a unique style that balances atmosphere and absurdity.
Director Matthieu Kassovitz ratchets up the tension and never lets go as he tells separate stories of two police detectives whose investigations eventually overlap.
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