I loved the Jean Patrick Manchette's novel from which this one is inspired; only vaguely inspired. The basic topic can be similar, as many other films with this scheme, and the overall result is a rather bearable movie. But it remains as close to the novel as New York is to Paris. The book is a pure jewel which the atmosphere and spirit is totally absent here. It is less obvious with another Manchette's book adaptation: TROIS HOMMES A ABATTRE, from Le Petit Bleu de la Côte Ouest, Manchette's book. Not very faithful either, but the spirit closer to the novel than this one I comment today. There are some light hearted, minded elements that don't help much to make this feature worth watching for a crime film buff as I am. Speaking of Manchette, there was NADA adaptation by Claude Chabrol, ten years earlier, very faithful concerning the scenes and story in general, but slightly different if you consider the meaning, the message, political message. Manchette's novel deserved far far better than this one; it is even ridiculous.
Review of Le choc
