Hearing that Tomer Sisley plays Largo Winch feels like a glitch in the matrix. Sure, the guy's got a toothpaste-commercial smile, but we're talking about a hero who's basically Brad Pitt on steroids in the comics! Casting Sisley as Largo is like handing Conan the Barbarian to Kev Adams. You're left wondering if the casting call happened blindfolded or in a local bar. That said, Sisley does okay-like a student aiming for a C and scoring an 11 out of 20.
Adapting Largo Winch is like trying to turn a Ferrari into a Renault Twingo-you lose a bit of the class along the way. Here, Jérôme Salle camps out with the script, mashing multiple comic albums into a lukewarm stew. Comic fans, meanwhile, are still searching for the elegance and depth of the original character. Spoiler: it's still on the pages of the graphic novels.
The premise has potential: the secret son of a murdered tycoon faces an international conspiracy. But here, it's reduced to Tomer running through jungles, playing budget James Bond, and grappling with a script stuck between serious thriller and soap opera. If Largo Winch is supposed to be the Batman of global finance, here he's more like an intern at McKinsey.
Kristin Scott Thomas, ever impeccable, salvages a few scenes, but her acting chops can't save dialogue that sometimes sounds like a high school play. The villains? They've got the charisma of Power Rangers in their costumes. As for Tomer, he does his best, but he lacks the gravitas to inspire either fear or admiration. Maybe with a bit more muscle and charisma, he'd come closer to embodying the rebellious billionaire.
Still, the movie is watchable. The action scenes are decent, and the pacing keeps things from dragging too much. There are moments that hint at the spirit of the comics, but they're too few and too shy. Essentially, this feels like a Sunday evening B-movie: it entertains, but you'll forget it by the next channel flip.
Largo Winch isn't a bad movie, but it doesn't live up to expectations. With questionable casting, a muddled plot, and a hero lacking charisma, it falls far short of the explosive potential of the comics. It's okay, but if you want the real Largo, stick to the albums.
