SpuffyWeb
Sadly Over-hyped
Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
Walter Sloane
Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.
dbdumonteil
...which made French crowds flock to it in the theaters in 1985 and if you're looking for something of the same intensity as "Tandem" (1987) or "L'Homme Du Train" (2002), you can pass by. It doesn't mean that this film has to be decried. On the contrary. You just have to take it for what it is. A deft, energetic buddy movie interspersed with unexpected twists, suspenseful chases and stunts and a sharp humor into the bargain. Everything you could wish for to spend a comfortable evening in front of the telly without reservations. The film was created in the wake of a fashion which made Francis Veber's specialty and consolidated his popularity: the mismatched pair of men (see "la Chèvre", 1981). "Les Spécialistes" follows the rules of the game. The first contacts between the two men are rather cold due to incompatibles dispositions but what comes next takes another dimension. In spite of bickering and despondency caused by the madness of their break-in, friendship will link the two men. A certain psychological depth adds to a good definition of their persona, especially Paul (I don't want to continue because I could reveal some spoilers).Reviews at the time reported that Leconte wasn't very at ease in the shooting of the film. Actually, when he shot it, he had already left behind him strictly laugh-filled comedies like "Viens Chez Moi, J'Habite Chez Une Copine" (1981) which owed a lot to Michel Blanc (he took part in the scenario of the film) and tried a new cinema direction not to be typecast in comedies. However, although this action-packed story is especially the work of a producer, Christian Fechner, it encapsulates some characteristics which will help to cement Leconte's signature. Precisely, the duo of men which he will construe again in some future works (the two marvelous movies I mentioned earlier). And he has already the gift to work with first-class scenarists like Patrick Dewolf. His effort is bestowed with witty cues that command admiration.One shouldn't forget the two main actors which contribute in making the film a little winner. Gérard Lanvin and Bernard Giraudeau are on top form. The latter had already acted under Leconte's direction ("Viens Chez Moi...") and would later ("Ridicule", 1996).Leconte once declared that this film was the watershed in his career and not its successor, "Tandem". Be that as it may, the seeds are sown and will grow from his next film in which serious things will start.
Rovan
I saw this movie after 1989 (we had socialism in our country) and I really liked it. It's still one of my favourites movie. I usually do not like french movies except with Jean-Paul Belmondo, but this one was really perfect. I can recomend it for a boring evening or afternoon. Don't hesitate and enjoy it. :-)
blktauna
This is a really fun buddy film of the homoerotique variety.Paul and Stephan have a delightful relationship. Things start out with Paul in charge, but hat doesn't last long. Even the lovely Laura, who helps them out, thinks that they belong together. The previous commenter describes the symbolic nature of what was going on but he fails to mention the chemistry of the two characters. Paul purrs in Stephan's ear, they fix each other's clothes and the end... well the ending... They might as well ride off into the sunset together with a just married sign.I do disagree with the previous commenter about the dialog. In French it is very witty. I did have a bit of trouble with some of the slang but I flipped on the subs and it cleared alot up. The setup of the job was concise and clear, the cinematography was beautiful, the dialog was sharp and fun, there was a nice twist to the plot and a nice enjoyable resolution. Parts are reminiscent of Ronin but they were filmed in the same area and with the same intent, so I would expect similarities. But where Ronin is dark, Les Specialists is light.I would absolutely recommend this film to anyone for a fun afternoon's viewing. The scenery is gorgeous, the boys are gorgeous and the pace is fun. It isn't War and Peace but as I don't like War and Peace, that is a good thing...
alice liddell
This is a very subversive buddy-buddy movie which foregrounds the homoeroticism latent in its structural model, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. As much a French Western (thematically and visually) as a gangster movie, it uses predictable absolutes - wide open spaces/cramped interiors; law/criminal; legally 'straight'/sexually 'straight' etc. - to make them (and the genre that feeds on them) ambiguous and critical. Melville is invoked too - in the focus on elaborate heist - and subverted: life, not death, is celebrated. Sadly, if I may say so under IMDb guidelines, the dialogue (in translation anyway) is uninspired, the plot underdeveloped and the action mechanics barely routine.
