I have to admit I did not want to see this movie. Just what Autumn needs, I thought. More shamelessly pretentious Oscar-bait. It had all the hallmarks: French director? Check. Baffling storyline? Check. Matthew Modine? Double check.

Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised. Director Louis Letterier (along with screenwriters Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen) manage to take what could have been a stuffy little tale of an ex-special forces limousine driver combatting a devious plot by international drug cartels involving a bioengineered super-virus and turn it into something fun. I mean, the dude beats people up with a hose. A freakin’ hose!!!! How cool is that??

It took two people to write this movie.

So if you can get past your fear of art-house cinema and the French, I highly recommend this thought-provoking masterpiece. I mean c’mon…a freakin’ HOSE!!! Until next time, the mezzanine is closed!