If you'd like to eat, before the movie, note that in your RSVP. We can meet, at 6:00 PM, at The Counter, on California Ave., just a short drive from the theater, for a quick burger. Non-diners, we'll meet you at the theater around 7 PM. If anyone wants to go for coffee, after, we can organize outside the theater after the show.

---

Mesrine: Killer Instinct is the first part of a two-part biography of one of France's most famous criminals, Jacques Mesrine, charting his career from his beginnings in the 1960s, to his violent demise, in 1979. Originally released in France in 2007 (with part two, Mesrine: Public Enemy #1, released in 2008), this is the saga's first US release -- albeit, a very limited one. The movie stars three of France's biggest stars: Vincent Cassel (as Mesrine), Matthieu Almaric, and Gerard Depardieu (French movie stars don't get much bigger!! ). (Note: Part 1 will play for only one week, with Part 2 opening on Friday, Sept. 3. If turnout is good for Part 1, I'll schedule a similar event for Part 2.)

The NY Times opened its review raving about Cassel's performance (read the review):
"Vincent Cassel, the cocky, snake-eyed French actor with a prizefighter’s mug is so charismatic in “Mesrine...” that you can’t take your eyes off him. Mr. Cassel’s monumental performance fuses the cobralike menace of the young Robert Mitchum with the whipsaw, shape-shifting (from wiry to bulbous) volatility of classic Robert De Niro, and lightens it with a cat burglar’s grace and agility."

Mick LaSalle, in the SF Chronicle raves (read the review):
"...this two-part epic is a little reminiscent of "The Godfather" movies, in that it's packed with incidents and episodes and almost every scene has its own special tension or appeal... Together they make up more than four hours of brisk, irresistible entertainment."

Watch the trailer.

---

BTW: If you want to see Mesrine, but can't make this event, Stefan is also hosting a showing at the Kabuki, Thursday night (click for info).