[yasr_overall_rating]
Wrongfully convicted for murder, Henri Charriere forms an unlikely relationship with fellow inmate and quirky convicted counterfeiter Louis Dega, in an attempt to escape from the notorious penal colony on Devil’s Island.
The 1973 version which starred actors Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman is memorable as an adventure-filled psycho-thriller and remains impactful in the minds of those who witnessed the parent-childlike relationship between a pair of prison inmates that through a span of time and facilities, epitomizes civility, human suffering, and joyful disobedience. Director Michael Noer’s remake of a 45-year old thriller awakens the rebellious nature of its stars and the willful pageantry of a corrupt criminal system.
Charlie Hunnam stars as Henri “Papillon” Charriere, a thief who has underestimated his ability to beat the system as he tries to impress his female object of desire with stolen jewels. When a witness oversees him wooing his lady with the jewels after he has been reminded of the consequences of being unfaithful to his boss, he is framed for the murder of a categorical fellow who had just met the same accusatory fate. On the other hand, Rami Malek in the role of financially endowed Louis Dega is doing time for felonious forging and has been assigned to what he thinks will be a brief prison sentence as soon as his wife and attorney make the necessary arrangements to secure his release. When “Papi” proposes that he will protect Louis in prison if he finances his escape, Louis jokingly turns it down thinking he doesn’t need it, however, he quickly changes his mind when a fellow prisoner is killed right next to his bedside the same night, and he narrowly escapes the same fate when the other prisoners realize he’s loaded. Almost instantly, the two become willful partners in a cat and mouse game that tests both their physical stamina and their mental agility.
While Papi and Louis try their best to become model prisoners, it just isn’t in the cards. Louis is consistently a magnet for trouble due to his inability to gauge when or if he should rebel against the system that has no sympathy for his inability to carry his own load and Papi’s unnerving ability to keep the prison staff intrigued as well as pissed at his unfailing reserve, is the foundation which keeps the moving flowing, albeit at a snail’s pace. In a twist of justifiable fate, Papi always seems to come to Rami’s rescue and in so doing, receives the greatest punishment. After stints in solitary confinement and a lengthy separation, Louis’ new assignment seems prime territory for another attempt at escape and Papi, although weakened, appears to have at least one more attempt at escape waiting in the wings. When that attempt fails, each receives what appears to be their final destination, which is Devil’s Island.
Director Michael Noer does an excellent job of characterization with these two fine actors who embody the American dream misappropriated. The sacrifices they endure for one another shows the true spirit of brotherhood while highlighting the inefficiencies of a corrupt judicial system. It also goes to great lengths to pair unwitting souls to the undeniable forces of nature. Based on a true story, it is regretful that Papi’s death in 1973, came months before the first “Papillion” opened, immortalizing him.
In theaters Friday, August 24th
I enjoyed this movie very much! Way better then the original and depicted the inhumane conditions that really existed during this period.