Hi everyone!
Netflix seems to have signed deals with at least one Belgian film company for distribution. Not too many films that are solely Belgian, but quite a few their producers and distributors have a hand in. For a few other Netflix Original films from Belgium, check out “The Most Assassinated Woman in the World” (Episode #255), “Nothing to Hide” (Episode #336), and “Budapest” (Episode #438).
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Here we go!
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Today’s movie is “Burn Out”, the Netflix Original thriller directed by Yann Gozland, and written for the screen in collaboration with Guillaume Lemans, with scenario consultation from Simon Moutairou and Ludovic du Clary, based on the novel by Jérémie Guez. The film follows Tony (François Civil), who lives to be a motorcycle racer. However, when his loved ones are in jeopardy, Tony must use his skills for drug deliveries until an opportunity for escape arises.
No spoilers.
Perhaps one of the oldest tropes in the book when it comes to action films is the “one last job” story. A film’s protagonist finds himself either wanting to escape the criminal life, or being thrust into it for the sake of themselves or another. The protagonist either discovers or knows they are quite adept at the work, leading to temptations to stay on, or to increase the risk factor. And then the protagonist realizes that their last job may not be their last job, and they might be forced to continue performing, and that means a dramatic showdown with their employers/overseers. And that’s exactly the film we have today. It’s not that the “one last job” storyline cannot be effective. The key, with any recycled storylines, is to bring something new or better to it. And unfortunately, today’s film doesn’t do that.
“Burn Out” takes the same idea, using the pressed into service gambit for motorcycle superstar-in-training Tony. Tony finds himself indebted to a local mob after his child’s mother has a substantial amount of drugs she’s holding stolen by her new boyfriend, who promptly leaves town. Of course, his motorcycle skills catch the interest of the gang boss, and he tries to manage drug deliveries at night, with a warehouse job during the day, and motorcycle racing tryouts in the afternoon and early evening. Which makes Tony experience... you guessed it... burn out, putting him in a precarious position.
The film ends up being very predictable, but it is also well-constructed and doesn’t overstay its welcome too much. Aside from its predictability, I enjoyed the action scenes, and thought the various scenarios were all right. The cast turn in adequate performances for a crime thriller, and the direction and cinematography are well done. I think I just wish it brought something new or impressive to the genre, but it just ends up being a standard action film using a common storyline. And that’s fine for action and crime film fans, but won’t be enough for most other people.
“Burn Out” is a French crime thriller about one man finding himself thrust into the drug business, then trying to get himself out of it. It is a well-made film, but brings nothing new to the genre, nor will it have appeal outside of action and crime film fans. Keep your expectations low to enjoy the ride.
Rotten Tomatoes: NR
Metacritic: NR
One Movie Punch: 6.2/10
“Burn Out” (2017) is rated TV-MA and is currently playing on Netflix.
