Based on the
Largo Winch Belgian comic book series by Philippe Francq and Jean Van Hamme, comes this stylish, kinetic, globe-hopping exercise in action and laid-back Gallic cool. Not to mention some Croation orphans, corporate espionage, cross, double-cross, traitors, friends and enemies. Or, just another day in a modern multinational. Adopted out of a Yugoslav orphanage in 1981 by the wealthy industrialist Nerio Winch (
Miki Manojlovic), the young Largo grows into boyhood under the watchful eye of one of Nerios trustworthy friends. But soon enough hes taken away and introduced to the power and riches of his adopted fathers world. Naturally, rebellion intervenes and by the time we catch up with Largo again hes a full grown man wandering the wilds of Brazil, and seemingly estranged from his father, and his privileged upbringing. However, as becomes quickly apparent this is no Into the Wild journey of reflective self-discovery, as it takes the more violent and rambunctious route of a Franco-Belgian, Bruce Waynian search for against the odds punch-ups and characters who are generally bad for your health. But even fun of this level cant last forever, and after the murder of his father Nerio, the Winch groups acting head Ferguson (
Kristin Scott-Thomas in effortless mix of British Steel and French laissez-faire) has to find Largo and his 65% of bearer shares (for those unfamiliar with the heady world of share transactions that means if you physically hold the shares you own them). For Largos part he doesnt waste time in taking up the mantle, surviving bullets through the boardroom windows, and standing up to a shady, corporate Titan called Korsky (
Karel Roden), who helpfully declares Im the storys bad guy. Then again, in a film like this, who can you really trust. Adding to the character mix is the Winch Group security chief played by
Steven Waddington, Nerios former right-hand man Freddy (
Gilbert Melki), and the knowingly Bond-esque office matron, Miss Pennywinkle.
Inevitably things go explosively awry for Largo as he learns hes been manipulated from the start, and left in the conventional state of being presumed dead. If only the bad guys would learn. Largo Winchs director,
Jérôme Salle, has no doubts about what film hes making and he pulls it off with such panache and verve that you forget youre not watching the showdown between hero and ticking time bomb. I mean only the French could produce an action-adventure film based on a climactic shareholders meeting and make it work like a charm. Not since John McClane handed morgue passes to a bunch of German crooks has the pursuit of financial papers been so undemandingly exciting. As the titular hero
Tomer Sisley is all brooding, debonair, and action man charm, and while I might balk at saying hes taken Largo Winch and made him his own (particularly as I have a limited frame of reference), any replacement would be hard-pressed to make any cracks in his identity. Heres hoping that the multinational, multi-lingual, and border hopping filmic fun continues, and Sisley gets to really prove his worth.
DVD Extras: Trailer Largo Winch is currently
available on DVD, from Optimum Releasing.