La Sentinelle

Mathias is not easily shaken, as one imagines a pathologist would be. Caught in the middle of international espionage, he acts with confidence and consistency, keeping the spies at bay while he hurries to identify the head that has come into his keeping.

The film has a subtle yet deliberate pace that weaves romance and light-humor in with some very macabre content -- reflecting Mathias' own life. This is not an easy story to dissect. In the confusing post-cold-war world, everyone is uneasy it seems, except a humble pathologist.

I was left wanting a bit more resolution, not of plot but of characters. Still it is a charm all its own that makes it worth watching again.

I can't even begin to imagine how an American director would butcher this delicate story -- so many little details that would be brushed aside for suspense or gore or sex. I can see Ben Affleck now in a high-speed espionage thriller...that completely misses the point.

Mathias, a reserved, quiet student of Forensic Pathology, is returning to France after completing his studies in Germany.Before reaching Paris, he is stopped for what seems to be a routine but threatening border check. After being questioned by a mysterious agent, he is found to be harmless, he is released,and as far as he's concerned it's over and done with...that is until he finds a very unusal item in his luggage...a human head!

At first he is so taken aback by his discovery, he can hardly think what to do. But eventually, being trained in Forensic Medicine,his curiosity gets the best of him and he puts his talents to work to piece together this mysterious puzzle. Curiosity soon turns to an obsession that has Mathias, spending every waking moment on this "project". At times, it almost seems like he is a sentry, standing guard over it. His findings also involve him deeply in political intrigue that has now turned him into a target for the French Secret Service.

It's a terrific French thriller, but not in the way you may think by looking at the cover art of the DVD. You won't be jumping out of your skin by frightening images.It's more of a suspenseful psychological thriller,along the lines of something like "Three Days of the Condor". Director Arnaud Desplechin expertly keeps you involved and intrigued every step of the way.The marvelous cast includes Emmanuel Salinger, Thibault De Montalembert and Jean-Louis Richard, all turning in excellent performances.

The DVD presents a very nice picture, and good sound in DD2.0 surround. It is in French with English subtitles and you will also find filmographies on several of the actors.

If you are in the mood for something French, something suspenseful, or something different..check this one out.
Get the popcorn ready and enjoy....Laurie

thousands of spy trash movies made from the point of view of the winner of the Cold War game. The narrative quality of the story is appalling and make this movie exceptional in the french cinema. If you have brainwashed preconceptions about how this conflict was fought please do not see this film.