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France, Belgium · 2003
1h 57m
Director Lucas Belvaux
Starring Lucas Belvaux, Catherine Frot, Dominique Blanc, Ornella Muti
Genre Thriller
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After fifteen years behind bars, Bruno, who advocates the proletarian revolution, escapes. The latter wants to continue the struggle, get his comrades out of prison, and free the masses from the capitalist yoke. But now, after so many years, none of his former allies no longer believe in the cause.
We hate to say it, but we can't find anywhere to view this film.
The New Yorker by Anthony Lane
What we glean from Belvaux's trilogy is the reassurance (rare on film, with its terror of inattention) that people are both important and unimportant, and that heroes and leading ladies, in life as in art, can fade into extras before our eyes. [Note: From a review of the entire trilogy.] [2 February 2004, p.94]
The New York Times by Dana Stevens
There are some scenes that display impressive technical cunning, and others that show an astute regard for the emotional capacities of his able cast, but On the Run amounts to a sullen display of skill in a dubious cause.
Christian Science Monitor by David Sterritt
Belvaux tells this seamy story with great energy, and gives an all-stops-out performance in the leading role. Also fine are Catherine Frot as Bruno's former girlfriend and Dominique Blanc as the addict.
Fluid camerawork, a resonant music score and tightly wound editing combine to produce a superior suspense film with a conclusion that is somewhat reminiscent of the final acts of Robert Altman's "McCabe and Mrs. Miller" and of Joseph Losey's "The Criminal."
New York Daily News by Jack Mathews
Belvaux says his tryptich...are stand-alone movies that can be enjoyed in any order. I disagree. None is a complete experience and "An Amazing Couple" can be easily skipped. But the first and third add up to something very poignant and satisfying.
New York Post by Jonathan Foreman
Though On the Run is a welcome reminder that effective thrillers don't have to be noisy or dumb, the film does contain slightly jarring moments of inadvertent humor.
A grim neo-noir thriller.
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
Genre-hoppers like Steven Soderbergh ought to love this neat triple doozy. [Note: From a review of the entire trilogy.]
Village Voice by Michael Atkinson
At its most contemplative, The Trilogy is a stirring and shrewd portrait of lives lived in oblivious parallel. [Note: From a review of the entire trilogy.]
A taut, diamond-cut piece of storytelling.