Tell Everyone You Know

Foreign films, believe it or not, aren’t for everyone.  Sadly, some of the greatest pieces of cinema that I have ever witnessed include subtitles, which restrict certain people from ever taking the time to view them.  Whether the complaint falls with having to read rather than watch, or simply not being able to follow everything on screen while reading at the same time, I’ve come to learn that certain folks just don’t appreciate the experience. 

Whatever your grievances may be with foreign films, I implore you to spend some time with Tell No One.    It is the simple story of two childhood friends (Alex and Margot) who fall in love, marry, and enjoy years of marriage until, while visiting their memorable childhood swimming grounds, Margot is murdered.  Alex, upon hearing a struggle, runs to her rescue, only to get knocked unconscious by the attackers.  We flash forward eight years later to find Alex cleared of all possible connections with the murder, and he now lives his life as best he can although never forgetting (and desperately missing) his precious Margot.  All seems as well as can be until the day he receives an anonymous email from someone linking him to a web cam of a public street which shows a woman, visibly identical to Margot, pass underneath, turn, and smile for the camera.  This event sets up this deep, riveting, and emotional thriller, as Alex dives headfirst into the mystery of his wife’s murder and seemingly sudden (and unbelievable) reappearance. 

As far as thrillers go, Tell No One is very different from what American audiences are accustomed to.  Alex is a real human being with real problems and emotions.  He has a real job and lives a real life.  The characters are written so beautifully real that one can’t help becoming emotionally attached to the story.  You want Alex to find answers because the situation is incredibly plausible.  This isn’t a Hollywood-ized thriller.  This isn’t Tom Cruise running around trying to outsmart the villain.  And that’s a beautiful thing to witness. 

In fact, the only gripe I had with the film comes with the technology aspects.  So much of the film is written in the world of believability that the shortcuts they take when it comes to computers, internet, and email stand out.  While I’m sure there could have been a clever way for the emails to arrive from an unknown sender, the film takes the easy way out and associates them from ‘anonymous@unknown.org’ or something similar.  Everything else, from the detective work to the action is incredibly realistic and stylishly done.  Due to the realistic sense of a certain chase scene across heavy traffic, audience members can’t help but feel nervous as they watch the action unfold in one of the most intense car chase/crash scenes I’ve ever seen filmed.

Filming merits aside, the film would be nothing if it weren’t for Francois Cluzet’s portrayal of Alex.  He brings so much life to the character that one can’t help but instantly wish him success while at the same time feeling an uncomfortable amount of tension as the story unfolds.  So much of the script rests on Cluzet’s shoulders and he nails it.  We have to believe that Alex loves his wife desperately, we have to believe that he is willing to do anything for her, and we have to believe that he’s as confused as we are on what is going on.  And, as I said, he nails it. 

So cast aside whatever reservations you may have in regards to foreign films and by all means, enjoy Tell No One.  The mere fact that it’s nothing like an American-styled ‘thriller’ should serve as some motivation and if that isn’t enough for you, then maybe you’d be better off popping a copy of Taking Lives into your DVD player.  To each their own I guess.