Reptileenbu
Did you people see the same film I saw?
Nicole
I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
Jenni Devyn
Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.
jotix100
A French adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Toward Zero" gets an excellent treatment at the hands of Pascal Thomas, a French director that appears to have been inspired by the original text. He has transferred the action to a gorgeous spot of Brittany. Since this is a rethinking of the Agatha Christie's novel, it was given a French flavor to go with the surroundings.At the center of the story is Camilla Tressilian, a wheelchair bound aristocratic lady with a great fortune. For the summer vacation she has invited her nephew Guillaume Neuville and his new wife, Caroline. She also has asked Aude, at the suggestion of Guillaume, a strange request, indeed. Marie-Adeline, who is Mrs. Tressilian's assistant, oversees all the arrangements. There is also a guest that comes from Vietnam, Thomas Rondeau, who has been away from France.The first formal dinner includes a former judge, Charles Trevoz, a man that knows a lot of secrets. At the table, Camilla asks the man about his most interesting case. Mr. Trevoz recalls a strange case that involved the supposedly accidental murder of a boy at the hands of another peer that was playing with a bow and arrow. One thing though, Mr. Trevoz does not reveal who the person was involved in the crime.That night, Mr. Trevoz is brought to the hotel by another guest. The only trouble is the elevator is out of order, meaning the older man has to climb four stories to his room. The following morning he is found dead. The news is too much for Camilla and her guests. Everyone is shocked when Mrs. Tressilian is found dead in her bed. She has been murdered by a hard blow to her head.The investigation that follows brings a vacationing inspector, Martin Bataille, to the scene. The situation is so mysterious that anyone of the people in the household, including the guests, could be the killers. Batailles follows unconventional methods to find out who did it. After some false movements the assassin, and his motives come to the open.Our main interest for watching the film was the presence of Danielle Darrieux playing Camilla. Ms. Darrieux, one of the most interesting personalities of the French cinema is a treasure to watch. She shows a regal presence that is a delight to watch, even though her part is not exactly the lead. Melvil Poupaud and a shrill Laura Smet, are Guillaume and Caroline. The enigmatic Aude is played by Chiara Mastroianni. Francois Morel is delightful as Bataille.Renan Polles, the cinematographer has worked with the director before. He gets in vivid details the beautiful Brittany scenery.
gradyharp
TOWARDS ZERO (L'heure zéro) Is the updated French version of Agatha Christie's 1944 novel by François Caviglioli, Clémence De Bieville, Roland Duval and Nathalie Lafaurie as directed with style and panache by Pascal Thomas. Instead of England the action is transferred to the breathtaking beauty of Brittany, France. Not only does the magic of Christie's mystery remain intact, but it is enhanced by the significant rugged coastlines of the area (captured beautifully by cinematographer Renan Pollès) as the setting for the mansion overlooking the sea where the action takes place. Guillaume Neuville (Melvil Poupard), the favored relative and heir to Aunt Camilla (Danielle Darrieux) who in her declining years lives in the Brittany estate under the care of Marie- Adeline ( Alessandra Martines) and her servants Heurtebise (Paul Menthe) and Emma (Valériane de Villeneuve) - the latter two making one of the finest comedy teams on film, comes to visit his aunt with his current wife Caroline (Laura Smet) while also inviting his mysterious former wife Aude (Chiara Mastroianni). Aunt Camilla favors the Aude, a fact that throws the tempestuous and obnoxious Caroline into tantrums. There is considerable background history of this family and friends that gradually all comes together in the end. But the incident that triggers the story is the murder of Aunt Camilla, an act that leaves nearly everyone in the full house as a suspect. Enter Le commissaire Martin Bataille (François Morel), who goes about his investigation singing a tune created from the names of Agatha Christie's famous detectives - Hercule Poirot, Miss Marples, and, oddly, Colombo. The murder weapons are recreated, the events of the night of the murder are studied, and gradually the true murderer is uncovered in typical Christie style. There are many clues, versions, suppositions, old family secrets, current interrelationships and pointed facts that leave the audience wondering not only who the murderer is but also the motive of the crime. It is a pleasure to watch the finest French actors (in addition to the ones mentioned the cast includes Clément Thomas, Xavier Thiam, Hervé Pierre and others) have a great time with this story and the sets, costumes, Brittany scenery, and the musical score by Reinhardt Wagner make this a delectable bonbon of a film. Grady Harp
richard_sleboe
Based on an Agatha Christie story, "Towards Zero" is a thriller in the guise of a picnic. Set in a magnificent mansion on the shores of Brittany, the story revolves around an aging matriarch, her family and the vultures that come with wealth and fortune. Her nephew Guillaume (Melvil Poupaud), an absurdly handsome and easygoing man on the outside, is torn between ambition and leisure. In general, it seems beneath him to even compete, but occasionally, he can't help wanting to win. Good thing there is always another girl to take his pain away: Aude (Chiara Mastroianni), soulful and patient to the point of masochism. Quietly elegant Marie-Adeline (Alessandra Martines), struggling with demons all her own. Gorgeous Caroline (Johnny Hallyday's breathtaking daughter Laura Smet), a loud-mouthed tramp in designer clothes. Then people start getting killed. The girls dance round in a ring and suppose, but the culprit sits in the middle and knows. A lot of fun. Unfortunately, the movie is currently without distribution outside France.
writers_reign
In 2005 Pascal Thomas adapted an Agatha Christie story for the screen, signed up Catherine Frot and Andre Dussollier for the leads and enjoyed the minor success which prompted him to do it again ergo Zero Hour. In my case top-billed Danielle Darrieux - still acting in her ninety first year - was all the inducement I needed to get it up at the box office and the fact that Thomas has made another competent film is a bonus. If you like movies in which the actors wear timeless, well-cut clothes, move in a well-appointed château with a seascape thrown in for good measure and behave in obligatory mysterious ways so that an eventual murder has been long anticipated then you won't be disappointed. Chiara Mastroianni, looking more like her father every day is also on hand to remind us what we lost when her father died and if she bears only a passing resemblance to her mother that's not so important because mum Catherine Deneuve is still very much with us. It's doubtful if Chiara will ever achieve the iconic status of her parents but she gets acting jobs because casting directors and producers know she can deliver rather than because of her genes. An enjoyable romp.
