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Papillon
2017 134 min Czech Republic, Malta, Serbia, Spain, United States of America R 18+
★6.9
Adventure, Crime, Drama
Director: Michael Noer
📖 Based on the novel
«Banco»
byHenri Charrière
Trailers
Description
Henri “Papillon” Charrière, a safecracker from the Parisian underworld, is wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the penal colony of French Guiana, where he forges a strong friendship with Louis Dega, a counterfeiter who needs his protection.
US Gross:
$2.34M
Worldwide:
$10.06M
Starring
Charlie Hunnam
Actor
Damijan Oklopdzic
Actor
Christopher Fairbank
Actor
Key opinion
The 2017 remake of Papillon is a competent, well-acted drama that presents a more humanized, less mythologized take on Henri Charrière’s memoir. While it succeeds as a standalone character study for many viewers, it is consistently overshadowed by the 1973 original, with critics debating whether it offers a meaningful update or merely functions as an unnecessary iteration.
| Acting | Charlie Hunnam and Rami Malek deliver vivid, convincing performances that ground the film in a believable human relationship. | |
| Cinematography | The cinematography is immersive and visually striking, though some find its execution inconsistent or occasionally amateurish. | |
| Originality | Comparison to the 1973 classic is unavoidable; some praise the remake as a successful modern interpretation, while others view it as an empty product that lacks the original’s nuance and elegance. | |
| Pacing | The narrative's pacing and structural focus divide audiences, with some appreciating the fast-moving plot while others feel the time jumps and lack of depth regarding character development make it feel rushed or hollow. | |
| Ending | The film fails to deliver a resonant emotional payoff at its conclusion, missing the poignant, lingering impact of superior prison dramas. |