Wild Target

Second Sight Films

R2 DVD

French with English subtitles

Victor Maynard is a professional killer, organised, cool and 100% reliable. That is, until the day he is hired to kill Rose. He finds himself attracted to her and saves her life. From then on he must save her from the other killers who have set out to kill her when Victor has failed. She thinks Victor is a private detective. Rose is impetuous and spoiled and seems able to do her best to land them in trouble. She is the opposite of Victor.

Victor has also picked up young Tony, a witness to one of his killings. Rather than kill Tony he is training him as an apprentice. Tony’s biggest problem is that he seems unwilling to actually kill anybody – even his woundings are more accidental.

Neither of these events sit well with Victor’s mother, a tough old lady who has probably taken part in her share of assassinations – her husband was a killer as well and taught the business to Victor. A certain amount of family pride is involved.

The trio are forced to leave Paris as the other hired killers close in. At Victor’s home in the country they can sort out their personal relationships. Rose finds that Victor is a killer. She runs away back to Paris straight into the waiting killers. A showdown at Victor’s home must sort the matter out.

Jean Rochefort is a skilled character actor little-known outside France but with his somewhat David Niven suave looks he is perfect for the part. He has a wide range of emotions to play through during the film, but nearly always manages to maintain his dignity and poise. The other character I particularly liked, even though her appearances were brief, was Patachou playing Victor’s murderous mother.

I believe this film is due for a remake soon, but it will have to be exceptionally good to beat the original. The French touch to this version lifts it above the average.

This film is a fine piece of French comedy / drama, with touches of murder.

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This review will appear in Volume 3 No. 4 of the digital and print edition of Synergy Magazine.

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