As with CRAN D'ARRET and one or two other movies which are not political oriented, Yves Boisset gives us here a very taut, efficient, sharp as a knife thriller, where Thomas Milian and Marlène Jobert both rob the whole film. An unusual story, not that predictable but riveting, where the audience always wonders where the story leads to. And in the good way; because in most cases, when you don't know where the plots drives at, that becomes rapidly confusing, boring, unbearable. Here, not at all. I repeat, this is not a political film - the Yves Boisset's trademark - but cynism from powerful magnates is not far from the spirit of this thriller. Excellent directing, acting, dialogues for this adaptation from a Jean Patrick Manchette's novel. Manchette - Boisset, how could it be lousy? NO WAY. But do not confound this scheme with another adult child relationship film called LE JOUET, starring Pierre Richard. The latest is a comedy and this one, not at all. I like the short sequence here Thomas Milian, the cold blooded killer, gives a blanket to the kid, during the night, so that he doesn't catch a cold. That reminds me Richard Boone, the villain in Budd Boetticher's TALL T, where he also gives a blanket to Maureen O'Sullivan, for the same reason. Very interesting detail, isn't it?
