Racer and the Jailbird

R

Released May 4, 2018

2 hr. 10 min.

Crime

Drama

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List

36%

53 Reviews

Tomatometer

46%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Loyalties are tested when a gangster and race car driver fall in love.

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Critics Consensus

Melodramatic and overstuffed, Racer and the Jailbird mainly serves as proof that Matthias Schoenaerts and Adèle Exarchopoulos deserve to reunite in a better movie.

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Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/22/23

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Mara Noel M

The obvious option would have been to make a redemption of the character. A surprising twist I didnt like.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

10/01/22

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isla s

This is a reasonably well made film but it felt pretty predictable in terms of the themes/plot. It is quite a sobering watch but it felt too sort of moral for my taste somehow. The performances are decent enough and there are some fairly good high action/adrenalin type scenes with fast car chases and the like, as well as scenes depicting robberies and other such things but I did think perhaps about half way through the film, the pace slowed down somewhat considerably and it became less enthralling. I found myself guessing what was going to happen. Its an ok film, a somewhat watchable one with good performances but its hardly a memorable and constantly enthralling watch, so I wouldn't go out of your way to watch it, no.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Introduced to Bénédicte "Bibi" Delhany (Adèle Exarchopoulos) after a motor racing event Gino "Gigi" Vanoirbeek (Matthias Schoenaerts) pretends he works importing and exporting cars, and asks her out on a date. As their relationship continues, comments from his friends about their wild youth and his time in juvenile detention raise her suspicions. In a private moment Bibi asks him to reveal his greatest secret and Gigi jokingly admits he robs banks. They daydream about travel and when asked if she could go anywhere Bibi suggests that should go to Buenos Aires. Gigi and his friends successfully rob a banker they met at party held by Bibi's racing group. Gigi is falling in love with Bibi and is reluctant to do any further jobs. Bibi's father has suspicions too and confronts Gigi, urging him to be honest with Bibi like a real man should do. Gigi tells him he wants to marry Bibi. Bibi has a growing realisation that Gigi isn't telling her the whole truth but they confess their love for each other. The gang plan another more elaborate heist, and as their getaway driver Gigi is essential to their plans. The gang drop a shipping container off a road bridge, to trap a money transport van and police escort. They get away with the money but Gigi is sick with nerves. The money is booby trapped with explosives and one of the gang is badly injured. Gigi leaves the hideout to call a doctor from a nearby payphone. He also calls Bibi and she warns him that a police officer was killed in the robbery and that a major manhunt was underway and for her sake he should not resist. The gang is caught and all are sent to prison. Bibi is sure of her love and wants to stay with Gigi so during brief prison visits they try to get pregnant. They turn to fertility treatment to try to conceive, but while on temporary leave from prison Gigi is bitten on the leg by a small dog. After kicking the dog in retaliation the police get involved and Gigi runs in panic. Bibi hides him temporarily but when a police manhunt begins she convinces him to give himself up and return to prison... Owen Gleiberman of Variety writes that the success of a dramatic love story hinges on there being interesting obstacles to overcome. Gleiberman says that Gigi's lack of honesty and vulnerability threatening their relationship is a good obstacle but that the obstacle of Gigi's inevitable incarceration "seems to choke off the film's dramatic possibilities" and "the whole thing becomes drenched in a kind of downbeat sentimental martyrdom that feels oppressively old-fashioned and moribund." Michaël R. Roskam´s gangster love/crime drama has great acting from Matthias Schoenaerts and lovely Adèle Exarchopoulos foremost and there´s chemistry between them, but all involved is on top to my mind. The cinematography is great and the vibe of the film feels truly authentic. However, the storyline doesn´t really offer anything all that new to be honest and in my point of view the film is quite good the first hour and a half and then it loses focus and becomes scattered and not that engaging. The love affair has been replaced by overdramatic and partly exaggerated events and actions. The main characters backstories are not fully fleshed out either which I think is a shame as it would´ve created an even stronger story. "Le Fidèle" has truly moments and it´s a good looking film with great acting, but in the end it doesn´t fully connect the dots.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Hearts of gold and true love cannot solve the problems surrounding bad choices; Schoenarts and Exarchopoulos play to their strengths in self-assured roles requiring dramatic and sexual chops

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Audience Member

Honest european crime drama, like neo-noir - so rare in our time. A powerful acting play by belgian Matthias Schonarts!!! Two thumbs up!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

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Michaël R. Roskam

Director

Matthias Schoenaerts

Gigi Vanoirbeek

Adèle Exarchopoulos

Bibi Delhany

Eric de Staercke

Freddy Delhany

Jean-Benoît Ugeux

Serge

Nabil Missoumi

Younes Bouhkris

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Racer and the Jailbird: Trailer 1

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

What ought to have been a sleek romantic heist movie is soon overcomplicated by a dizzying number of plot developments.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 23, 2018

Full Review

Tim Robey

Daily Telegraph (UK)

The filmmaking grows ever limper and less urgent, climbing down gears to leave the engine idling at many of the moments when it really needs to accelerate.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 13, 2018

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Frankly, it is a bit of a mess.

Rated: 2/5

Jul 13, 2018

Full Review

Charlotte Harrison

VultureHound

An example of when a good concept with good actors and good performances doesn't ignite for some reason.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jan 28, 2020

Full Review

Sara Martínez Ruiz

Espinof

The movie is, in any case, very enjoyable, while personally and visually very energetic. [Full Review in Spanish]

Aug 6, 2019

Full Review

Dominic Griffin

Spectrum Culture

Where the film's first half is stirring, fascinating and charming, its final acts are laborious, maudlin and comically depressing.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 17, 2019

Full Review

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Synopsis

Loyalties are tested when a gangster and race car driver fall in love.

Director: Michaël R. Roskam
Screenwriter: Thomas Bidegain, Noé Debré, Michaël R. Roskam
Distributor: Super LTD
Production Co: Savage Film, Wild Bunch, Stone Angels
Rating: R (Nudity|Language|Some Strong Sexuality|Violence)
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): May 4, 2018, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 1, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $22.6K
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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