Today’s quick review: Franck Spadone. Pickpocket Franck Spadone (Stanislas Merhar) breaks the rules of his trade when he takes an interest in one of his victims: Laura (Monica Bellucci), a gorgeous stripper. Following her to the nightclub where she works, Franck gradually becomes entangled in her life. But his impertinence costs him when Ferdinand (Carlo Brandt), Laura’s boss and a powerful figure in the criminal underworld, sends a man to kill him.
Franck Spadone is a French crime drama about a street thief drawn into a larger conflict by the looks of a beautiful woman. Franck Spadone offers a peek into the life of Franck, whose skills as a pickpocket have yet to bring him any real success, and that of Laura, whose beauty has only trapped her with the wrong crowd. The movie finds drama in the consequences of their encounter, but its slow pacing and limited plot make it a less than engaging watch.
Franck Spadone is a very slow boil. The scenes are contemplative, with dark lighting, mundane environments, and minimal dialogue. The characters are ciphers who barely emote and often go unnamed. In general, the movie leaves a lot unsaid, from thoughts that are merely implied to crucial events that happen just out of frame. The result is a detached, melancholy watch that doesn’t set strong enough hooks to pull the viewer in.
Franck Spadone may have something to offer fans of grounded, minimalistic crime movies. It has a particular style in mind, one that’s slow and moody, but it lacks the artistry to make it interesting. Most viewers will find that there isn’t enough substance to Franck Spadone’s story to bother with.
For a minimalistic crime thriller with a more engaging plot, try Following. For a French crime drama with more personality, try La Femme Nikita. For a Spanish crime drama with a similarly indirect storytelling style, try Getaway Plan. For a more elaborate drama about a low-level criminal taking on a crime boss, try Layer Cake.
4.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.0 for a weak story and an artistic style that doesn’t pay off.