Cassos (2012)
Directed by Philippe Carrèse

Film Review

Taking his cue from the Coen brothers and the Monty Python team, Philippe Carrèse makes a valiant attempt to knock out an off-the-wall gangster film parody on a shoestring budget but merely ends up churning out an embarrassing schlock monstrosity.  Carrèse's failure is all the more surprising given his long experience as a television director (most prominently of the popular series Plus belle la vie) and writer of crime fiction.  An utterly unhinged mix of road movie, polar and black comedy, Cassos has within it the germ of an excellent film, but lack of time, resources and inspiration prevent it from fulfilling its potential.  The film looks like a dummy run for the film that Carrèse intended to make, too crude and amateurish to be taken seriously, although it does have a weird artisan charm about it.  It will probably end up a cult classic.

Film Synopsis

Marc, a small-minded insurance broker from the provinces, has had enough of his bullying wife and decides to make contact with the criminal underworld to find someone who will kill her.  Toulouse, a second-rate crook, takes pity on Marc and, motivated more by contempt than compassion, takes it upon himself to initiate him in the ways of the modern gangster.  For Marc, this proves to be a voyage of discovery and he surprises himself when he realises he has the potential to become a killer...