"Ad Vitam", co-written and starred by Guillaume Canet, is a fascinating blend appearing on the Netflix platform with Canet in the role of a former Parisian officer engulfed in fresh dangers linked to the encounter that led to his dismissal. From parkour to parasailing, the flick keeps its audience intrigued, though as it swings from a rough and tumble thriller to a grand-scale scenario more suited for a James Bond film, it is progressively difficult to take seriously.
The narrative involves Franck Lazarev (Canet), who works a rather appealing civilian job, investigating structural weaknesses of historic buildings. His wife Leo (Stephane Caillard) is on the verge of giving birth to their first child. Their peaceful life shatters abruptly when their flat is ransacked upon their return from a doctor's visit. A suspicious new colleague (Stephane Rideau) nearly orchestrates Franck's fatal fall through a clear act of workplace sabotage. Returning home, he finds his home invaded by armed, masked men who demand a key supposedly in Franck's possession.
Around the thirty-minute mark, the narrative flashes back a decade to Franck and Leo's training with GIGN, France's primarily anti-terrorist tactical unit. This explains their surprising combat skills against the home invaders. The narrative then jumps nine years forward to a night when Franck, along with his colleagues responds to a shooting at a posh hotel. The results of this actions leads to Franck's discharge from the force for not following regulations.
Discovering the links between his past and current predicament, our protagonist rushes to save his wife from the abductors that appear to be connected to his past duties as an officer. The story connects to international espionage, which the French government is desperately trying to downplay, even at the peril of the central couple.
Although having a running time of just 96 minutes, the film crams in a lot, from scenic backdrops to action montages, intimate character dynamics to an inexorable antagonist, and over-the-top action sequences.
Despite its stylish execution and high energy moments, "Ad Vitam" struggles to combine the multitude of its diverse ingredients into a cohesive package. This lack of clarity diminishes both the tension and emotional depth of the film, ultimately painting Franck’s character as somewhat generic.
“Ad Vitam" is undeniably well produced and well cast, making for a stimulating experience. However, its abrupt and rather disconnected conclusion may leave some viewers questioning whether the journey and the ultimate destination had any substantial meaning at all.
