Never Say... Never! (2005)

Never Say... Never! Poster
Original Title: Il ne faut jurer de rien !

Paris, 1830. Valentin loses himself in alcohol, gambling and women. He does not believe in life and especially not in love. His uncle Van Buck believes only in the virtues of money and trade. Everything separates them until the day when Van Buck, to improve his public image, wants to make Valentin marry the young and impoverished Baroness Cécile. Valentin, who has absolutely no desire to get married, bets that he can easily seduce her in 24 hours and thus prove that she, like all the others, is not worth loving... But Cécile, who believes in true love, will prove much more difficult to woo than envisaged and Valentin will have to use all possible stratagems to try and win his bet. The game of cat and mouse starts... But who is the cat?

Overview
"Never Say ... Never!" is a French drama film launched in 2005, directed by Guillaume Canet. The English translation of the original French title, "Ne le dis à personne", is "Tell No One". The movie is an adaption of Harlan Coben's 2001 novel of the same name. The cinematic translation is good, with Francois Cluzet playing the lead role as Alexandre Beck (Alex).

Plot
Alex and his better half, Margot, are happily married. One day, while celebrating the anniversary of their very first kiss at a lake where they often hung out together, a catastrophe takes place. Alex is knocked unconscious by an unidentified attacker, and Margot is extremely murdered. 8 years later, Alex, still grieving the death of his other half, begins to get mystical e-mails suggesting that Margot is somehow still alive. Although initially sceptical, unmistakable evidence comes in one email, a video revealing Margot alive and well.

Haunted by the past and desperate for responses, Alex begins a treacherous journey to discover the truth. As he delves deeper into the mystery, he ends up being the prime suspect for several murders. Chased by police officers and killers alike, Alex maintains his innocence and yearns to show that and unveil the secrets surrounding his cherished other half's presence.

Characters
Francois Cluzet engagingly performs the central character, depicting a guy tortured by loss and driven by an unyielding love for his supposedly late better half. His steady belief and desperation to resolve the mystery make his efficiency engaging. Various other characters contribute substantially to the plot's development, consisting of Marie-Josée Croze, who flawlessly depicted the dead wife, Margot. The supporting cast includes Andre Dussollier as Jacques, Alex's father-in-law, and Kristin Scott Thomas as Helene, Alex's friend.

Reception
"Never Say ... Never!" generated a favorable reaction from critics and audiences alike. The movie is applauded for its suspenseful story, engaging characters, and the director's masterful handling of the thriller genre. It masterfully blends elements of love, thriller, and action, creating a fascinating story that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats from start to end up. It's an effective presentation of the magnetism of hope and the long-lasting power of love that thrusts audiences into a whirlwind of emotions.

Conclusion
"Never Say ... Never!" proves to be more than a common criminal activity thriller, as it checks out the limitless depth of love and unwavering devotion while navigating through the intriguing and frightening specters of death. It informs a visually detaining story of a guy's unrelenting quest to reclaim his lost love even from the clutches of death, just to be knotted in a fatal game that involves the police and killers. The movie's plot, efficiencies, and instructions affirm to its power as a concise and exhilarating piece of movie theater. It's a movie that offers an incredibly gripping watch, which is maybe why it continues to captivate audiences more than a decade after its release.

Top Cast

  • Jean Dujardin (small)
    Jean Dujardin
    Valentin
  • Mélanie Doutey (small)
    Mélanie Doutey
    Cecile
  • Gérard Jugnot (small)
    Gérard Jugnot
    Van Buck
  • Marie-France Santon (small)
    Marie-France Santon
    Baronne de Mantes
  • Patrick Haudecœur (small)
    Patrick Haudecœur
    L'abbé
  • Lorella Cravotta (small)
    Lorella Cravotta
    Henriette
  • Jacques Herlin (small)
    Jacques Herlin
    Lafayette
  • Jean-Luc Porraz (small)
    Jean-Luc Porraz
    Haussmann
  • Veroushka Knoge (small)
    Veroushka Knoge
    Chica 2
  • Arno Chevrier (small)
    Arno Chevrier
    El tuerto
  • Henri Garcin (small)
    Henri Garcin
    El Cojo