Tell No One (2008) R

Tell No One is a gripping French thriller that came out a few years back. It got fantastic reviews, so I gave it the old college try. It's written and directed by Guillaume Canet, who also plays a small role in the film. It stars unknown actor Francois Cluzet, as Alexandre Beck. His wife Margot is played by Marie-Josee Croze (Munich, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly). They take a day off from the city life, and head to their favorite spot on the lake. It's secluded, so they skinny dip, which is quite common overseas I've been told. They have a small argument and Margot swims to shore. Soon after, Alex hears a scream so he also swims to shore. As he climbs the dock, he gets clubbed in the head and falls into the water unconscious. Eight years later...

We learn that Alex was found alive on the shore, but Margot was found dead. Alex was in a coma for three days. Alex was also the prime suspect for the murder, but there was no evidence to prove it. He has put it all behind him now. That is until two bodies are found near the the murder scene, eight years later. The police reopen the case and Alex is under the spotlight once again.

To make matters worse, Alex is receiving e-mails from his dead wife. He takes refuge with his sister Anne (Marina Hands) and her wife Helene (Kristin Scott Thomas). Alex hires the best lawyer (Nathalie Baye) around, which people find suspicious. He tries to figure out these strange e-mails that reveal his wife is alive. Alex questions his father in-law (Andre Dussollier), because he was the only one who identified the body. He's clearly hiding something. Everyone seems to be hiding something, including his sister Anne.

Margot's best friend (from eight years ago) is murdered, and Alex gets framed. His lawyer suggests he stay put and to not say a word, but he flees. After a fantastic street chase, Alex calls up his shady friend Bruno (Gilles Lellouche). Bruno has connections and he protects Alex. The cops search all over for Alex, but two cops believe he's innocent. They do whatever they can to find him proof he wasn't involved. Also, a rich man named Gilbert Neuville (Jean Rochefort) believes Alex knows the location of his wife. His goons follow Alex all over the city.

Bodies begin to pile up all over the city. Some people wants answers, some want bloodshed, some have other motives. One thing is for certain, Margot is alive. The entire event that happened eight years ago is now a wash, and Alex must find the answers.

Things are quite confusing at the beginning (especially with the language barrier), but the pieces begin to fit together as the film moves along. The answers to all the questions are forced into out lap a wee bit, but it doesn't ruin the film at all. All the performances are spectacular, which is usually the case in foreign films. The one familiar face in the film is Kristin Scott Thomas (Mission: Impossible, The Walker). The rest of the cast (for most of you) you will not recognize. Foreign films may not be blockbusters, but I'm not really a blockbuster kind of guy. As you watch more and more films with subtitles, you get use to it. For those of you who have Netflix (which should be everyone, 'cause it's the greatest thing, ever), this film is available for instant viewing. Give 'er a try, why not?
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