Joe, the man at the center of the story, had seen one son die, and the other, his youngest, Manu, had been sent to prison where he awaited to be put to death for a crime that left two men dead. Joe is relentless in his quest to get Manu spared from a sure death. Unfortunately, all his efforts seemed to go nowhere, All his energies go to try to save his son from a sure death, while playing poker, to help with the cost of the legal process. His wife, Emilie was no help; she was a dreamer who thought playing roulette would bring her riches that never materialized.
Manu, a young man who fought in the French Resistance. After the war, he fell into a fast crowd. He and his brother, were involved in a fatal shooting that had his brother killed. Manu, who did not pull the trigger, cannot implicate the real responsible because it will implicate his criminal uncle, Santos, now living safely overseas. Joe's heart goes after his young son, whom he saw go to the wrong side of the law, but could not do anything to stop him.
It is because Joe's tenacity that Manu's life is changed from death row to a life term. In reality, Manu only served eleven years and was released. After coming out of prison, Manu wrote a book, "Le Trou" that was made into a successful film by Jacques Becker. In fact, the story is autobiographical since the director Jose Giovanni, is the Manu of the story.
Jose Giovanni directed a story he knew well, having lived it years before. The interesting thing is the casting of the central character of Joe. The director had Bruno Cremer in mind, something that pays off well. The work of Mr. Cremer is exceptional in the way Mr. Giovanni conceived his Joe. Both men had a clear understanding for the material which translates well in the screen.
Vicent Lecoeur is Manu, Mr. Giovanni's alter ego. The supporting cast is excellent, among them there are good performances by Rufus, Michelle Goddet, Eric Defosse, and the rest.
Manu, a young man who fought in the French Resistance. After the war, he fell into a fast crowd. He and his brother, were involved in a fatal shooting that had his brother killed. Manu, who did not pull the trigger, cannot implicate the real responsible because it will implicate his criminal uncle, Santos, now living safely overseas. Joe's heart goes after his young son, whom he saw go to the wrong side of the law, but could not do anything to stop him.
It is because Joe's tenacity that Manu's life is changed from death row to a life term. In reality, Manu only served eleven years and was released. After coming out of prison, Manu wrote a book, "Le Trou" that was made into a successful film by Jacques Becker. In fact, the story is autobiographical since the director Jose Giovanni, is the Manu of the story.
Jose Giovanni directed a story he knew well, having lived it years before. The interesting thing is the casting of the central character of Joe. The director had Bruno Cremer in mind, something that pays off well. The work of Mr. Cremer is exceptional in the way Mr. Giovanni conceived his Joe. Both men had a clear understanding for the material which translates well in the screen.
Vicent Lecoeur is Manu, Mr. Giovanni's alter ego. The supporting cast is excellent, among them there are good performances by Rufus, Michelle Goddet, Eric Defosse, and the rest.