Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Idris Elba | ... | Sean Briar | |
Richard Madden | ... | Michael Mason | |
Charlotte Le Bon | ... | Zoe | |
Kelly Reilly | ... | Karen Dacre | |
José Garcia | ... | Victor Gamieux | |
Thierry Godard | ... | Rafi Bertrand | |
Vincent Londez | ... | Yannick Bertrand | |
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Arieh Worthalter | ... | Jean |
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Mohamed Makhtoumi | ... | Christophe |
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Théo Costa-Marini | ... | Xavier (as Théo Costa Marini) |
Jérôme Gaspard | ... | Yves | |
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Ismaël Sy Savané | ... | Serge (as Ismael Sy Savane) |
James Stewart | ... | Henri | |
James Cox | ... | Pierre | |
James Harris | ... | Marcel |
Michael Mason, a pickpocket living in Paris, steals a bag with a teddy bear in it. Not realizing the toy contains a timed bomb, he tosses it aside on a busy street. A few seconds later it explodes, killing four people. CCTV footage reveals Mason's face and the French police tag him as a terrorist threat. The explosion, although botched, was set up by a select group of the French Interior Ministry as a decoy so they can make a half billion dollar digital transfer from a bank (closed on French National Day) -- hence the title Bastille Day. In a separate CIA investigation the unruly agent Sean Briar discovers the real story behind Mason's "terrorist attack". The two men, on different sides of the law, collaborate to bring the corrupt members of the Ministry down. Written by kwedgwood@hotmail.com
I'm torn between a 6 and 7 for this film. This has everything a good thriller should have, but nothing notably unique about the film or the way it's done past the protagonists and some of the cinematography.
The film is a spiral into chaos and the characters are very likable, forming an unlikely friendship between a thief and a CIA agent. Idris Elba and Richard Madden show off some great acting that really drives the film, with the dialogue between the two easily being my favourite part of the film. The directing is great, too, with a riveting chase sequence that looks and feels exciting and some lovely cinematography in France.
The premise isn't anything amazing, but throwing a sly, witty pocket thief into the mix of what would be an ordinary every-year thriller is what drives the film and makes it anything worth noting. If you're going to see this film for any reason, it should be for the two leads. Bastille Day is nothing unique, but it's definitely a good film if you're in the mood for a thriller (however I'd recommend Eye in the Sky over this). This is a film for people that are into thrillers and fun character interaction.