DVD review (region 2)
Directed by Julien Leclercq
Starring Albert Dupontel, Marie Guillard, Marthe Keller, Mélanie Thierry, Alain Figlarz
Release date 9 June 2008

David Hoffmann (Dupontel) and new partner Marie (Guillard) investigate the murder of a young girl. The case seems to be tied to both Nicolov (Figlarz), a mobster responsible for murdering Hoffmann’s wife, and a mysterious clinic run by Professor Brügen (Keller)…

As Julien Leclercq explains on the accompanying ‘making of’ documentary, his intention was to realistically depict what Paris might be like in 2025. And so, aside from a couple of Dubai-style skyscrapers, the cityscape doesn't differ radically from the present day, and there’s nothing outlandish about the science of the gadgets and genetic engineering on display – it’s just a little more advanced and slightly grubbier.

The impressive blue-hued visuals are sleek, cold, almost metallic. But this coldness also filters through to the humourless characters, who spend most of the movie quietly brooding. Even the Eyes Without a Face-influenced narrative strand involving Brugen’s attempts to reconstruct her injured daughter lacks any real warmth or humanity. And while the cast – especially Dupontel’s fist-friendly cop – are excellent, the future-noir-by-numbers story lacks substance to warrant being taken quite so seriously.

The plot is punctured by some well-realised action sequences, especially a brutal punch-up in the confines of a bathroom. A pity, then, that there aren’t more scenes like this, especially bearing in mind that Alain Figlarz, the respected stuntman responsible for some of the memorable sequences in the Bourne movies, has a supporting role as a vicious smuggler.

Despite its faults, Chrysalis marks an impressive debut for Leclercq. The moody atmosphere and stylish look would translate well to Hollywood, and it’s the kind of ambitious sci-fi thriller that is rarely attempted in European cinema. Matt McAllister

VERDICT: 6/10
It’s no Blade Runner, but this Gallic cyberpunk thriller is worth watching for its flawless production design and Dupontel’s portrayal of a cop on the edge.