That's How It Happened

Romain Duris is absolutely electric in De Battre Mon Coeur S'est Arrete. It's a not particularly sophisticated art-house gangster flick, but Duris's incredible performance makes it utterly compelling. It's possibly a little bit too French for some tastes. He does smoke almost continuously, and spends most of the film looking gloomy in little bistros, trying to reconcile gangsterism, piano playing and filial piety. The movie is otherwise a complete success, and rates as my second favourite french film ever after La Haine (directed by Kassovitz, who has a blog). Though La Haine is of course looking more relevant than ever in light of the ongoing rioting.