The first film I had the pleasure of screening at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival was Frédéric Jardin’s Sleepless Night, a French action film that’s small in scale but high in intensity.
The film stars Tomer Sisley (Largo Winch) as Vincent, a cop who steals a giant bag of cocaine which just so happens to belong to a Corscian mob boss, Marciano (Serge Riaboukine). When Vincent is ID’d as the guy who stole Marciano’s cocaine, Marciano has his son kidnapped and is willing to give him back if Vincent delivers the coke for his deal later that day. Vincent immediately heads to Marciano’s club after picking up the goods, but upon arrival a truly unfortunate turn of events takes place. After hiding the coke to show Marciano that he has it and to see that his son is safe, he heads back to the bag’s hiding location only to find it missing. A cop that was on his tail has moved the coke and is attempting to arrest him. The movie then becomes an intense race against the clock with Vincent on a hunt for the coke while also trying to avoid both the cops and Marciano’s crew.
Most people describe the film as Taken meets Die Hard and I completely agree with them. 90% of the film takes place in a night club (one location like Die Hard) and the purpose is to get his son back (kidnapping like Taken). It all takes place over the course of a 24 hour period which is what sets the intensity bar high and makes the pace of the film super fast. There isn’t a dull moment to be found as everything is relevant and usually focused around action or action that’s about to take place, and that action is hard hitting and awesome. Plus, it makes sure to include a few laughs here and there, though not too many as to ruin the tension.
Director Frédéric Jardin was on point with his editor and cinematographer. The way the film is pieced and shot allows this film to easily compare to some of the finer American action thrillers in recent memory. Lots of close ups and not too much shaky cam puts you right in the action without making you feel dizzy. My favorite scene/shot was when Vincent kills the power in the night club because as he goes back out on the dancefloor everyone is lighting the room up with their cellphones trying to make their way to the exit. I just thought it was cool seeing a room lit up only by cell phones. Just goes to show you how much the world has changed over the past 20 years.
Overall, Sleepless Night is kind of like the old Medusa rollercoaster at Six Flags Great Adventure, it isn’t the most original one out there but it has enough twists, turns and flips happening at the right speed that, when it’s over, you’ll walk out with a smile saying that was a cool ride.
Rating: A cool thriller that doesn’t waste your time (6.8/10)
Sleepless Night is part of the Cinemania section of the festival. You can catch it on:
Sunday April 22 at 9:30 pm at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 6
Thursday April 26 at 8:30 pm at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 4
Friday April 27 at 11:30 pm at Clearview Cinemas Chelsea 2
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