The Big Picture- Review

By Hao-ling

Adapted from American writer Douglas Kennedy’s best seller novel, “The Big Picture” is an unpredictable, excited and thrilled French movie which filmed by Eric Lartigau who directed “I Do”, “A Ticket to Space”, “Mais qui a tué Pamela Rose?”

A successful young father of two children, Paul Exben, is casted by Romain Duris, who kills his wife’s lover by accident. Paul hides the body and changes his identity to assume he is the person who is murdered by him, then sneaks out of Paris to Eastern Europe to become a photographer for living.

The background of “The Big Picture” happens in the central of Paris, unless you read the book before, or you will never know actually it happens in wall street, USA.

The script was written by Lartigau and Laurent de Bartillat, they arranged the shots and storyline brilliantly and wisely, compared to the novel, the film still keeps the whole spirits of the novel and takes its time to layout Paul’s life.

The Big Picture is central on main character Paul. Before Paul kills his wife’s lover Gregoire (Eric Ruf), he is a cooperator of lawyer firm, always dressed smart and owns a posh villa in Paris.

Paul wanted to be a photographer when he was young, but afterwards he has became a lawyer to support his family and his wife Sarah (Marina Fois) to become a writer.

Paul is an ideal husband in most of woman’s mind, earning money, loving his wife, adoring the two kids.

However, for Sarah, she thinks it is a way to keep her in the house by Paul instead of well supporting, she feels like herself as a belonging of his husband.

At the same, Sarah is attractive by Gregoire’s willingness to go for his dream and wild appearance, but also she is sick of her husband’s self-loathing.

Once Paul has fled to Eastern Europe, the movie changes the pace, the well-dressed Parisian Lawyer becomes a declasse man who stays at a shitty house with nice view in Montenegro and dresses like an “underground man” taking photos around.

In there, Paul findsreal him, he takes photos of what he sees and becomes a sympathetic social observer and creative artist. He is chasing his dream which he could not make it in in Paris, but he makes it in this small town.

Personally, I think Paul has a happier life in the Eastern Europe, although he has to hide himself from public and could not live with his family, but he becomes a well-developed person by chasing his dream and puts the efforts on what he likes to do.

“The Big Picture” is definitely recommended, apart from very well directing, as you can see, Romain Duris is a compelling presence.