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Bastille Day
2016 92 min France, United Kingdom, United States of America R 18+
★6.1
Action
Director: James Watkins
Trailers
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Description
Michael Mason is an American pickpocket living in Paris who finds himself hunted by the CIA when he steals a bag that contains more than just a wallet. Sean Briar, the field agent on the case, soon realises that Michael is just a pawn in a much bigger game and is also his best asset to uncover a large-scale conspiracy.
Budget:
$20M
US Gross:
$50,269
Worldwide:
$14.4M
Starring
Idris Elba
Actor
Richard Madden
Actor
Charlotte Le Bon
Actor
Key opinion
Bastille Day is generally regarded as a competent but conventional action thriller that benefits from strong lead performances despite a predictable and occasionally shallow screenplay. While the film’s tense pacing and realistic fight choreography are widely praised, its reception is complicated by its controversial, coincidental proximity to real-world terrorist events in France.
| Acting | Idris Elba provides a commanding and charismatic performance that anchors the film's otherwise routine material. | |
| Direction | The film utilizes tight, dynamic action sequences and realistic choreography that effectively sustain tension throughout. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is largely viewed as a collection of genre clichés and predictable tropes, with many critics finding the character motivations underdeveloped. | |
| Acting | Opinions on Richard Madden's performance are divided; some praise his emotional range and chemistry, while others find his accent distracting and his character inconsistent. | |
| Theme | The film's thematic exploration of terrorism and social unrest is viewed as either a timely, prescient look at contemporary politics or an exploitative and shallow use of tragedy. |