Tell No One – DVD Review

 

You can always tell a great thriller by how well it holds up on the second viewing. There are some films, like Gone Baby Gone, for instance, that lose their suspense once you know the surprise conclusion. I originally saw Tell No One during it’s theatrical run last summer, however I only really saw it tonight on blu-ray. Not only is it more satisfying the second time around, it’s infinitely more fulfilling – although we know the end point, there is such a thorough journey in getting there that it’s simply too tough to digest in one viewing.

 Tell No One is based on a best-selling American novel by Harlan Coben, and it’s directed by Guillaume Canet in his second feature length effort. The set up is simple: Alex Beck (Francois Cluzet) and his wife, Margot (Marie-Josée Croze), are relaxing at a secluded lake house. After a brief fight on a raft, Margot swims off to shore and disappears into the darkness. She screams, there’s a thud, and Alex, terrified, swims to her rescue. The moment his feet touch the dock, however, he’s knocked unconscious by an unseen attacker.

 Fast forward eight years. Alex is now a pediatrician who has not yet remarried. His past has come back to haunt him – it’s reported that two corpses were dug up near the site of the murder of his wife. A police chief, Eric Levkowitch (Francois Berléand), reopens the investigation and considers Alex the prime suspect – an opportunity that Eric has certainly been craving due to the gaping plot holes in Alex’s recollection of the night. Who, for instance, placed Alex on the dock after he was left unconscious in the water? Meanwhile, Alex starts getting cryptic e-mails that include information suggesting that Margot is, in fact, alive.

 The rest of the sprawling plot would be best to discover on your own. It’s an incredibly dense picture with a memorable cast of supporting characters. Kristin Scott Thomas (I’ve Loved You So Long), among others, appears as the lover of Alex’s sister.

 These Hitchcockian wrong-man films are a dime a dozen, but Tell No One is one of the better efforts i’ve seen this decade. It’s relentlessly suspenseful, unpredictable, well-acted, and beautifully shot. There is a chase scene that occurs about midway through the film that is worth buying the DVD for alone.

Tell No One is challenging to follow, so you certainly shouldn’t be taking any bathroom breaks until it’s over. However, if you’re willing to invest the time and thought, a more satisfying thriller you’re unlikely to find. NetFlix subscribers can watch Tell No One on Instant View.

Rating: