WHAT’S IT ABOUT
Mechanic Lino is passionate about ram cars, but when faced with dirty cops, he’s given a deal he can’t refuse: he must put his passion at their service in order to avoid prison.
MOVIESinMO REVIEW
If you’re fed up with the usual action films and want something else, Lost Bullet (French original title: Balle Perdue) could be just what you’re looking for. This French Netflix action thriller is very entertaining in its short 92-minute running time, showing that you don’t need a massive Hollywood budget to create tense moments. The movie revolves around the life of Lino, a brilliant mechanic with a problematic past. He has the ability to turn regular vehicles into supercars, a gift that first gets him into trouble with the law. When police officer Charas gives him another chance by hiring him to modify police vehicles, Lino gets a chance to rebuild his life. However, things take a turn for the worse when Lino is accused of murdering a person he has not killed. Lino is being chased by corrupt cops and honest cops. Lino has to use his mechanic skills to prove himself innocent. The only assistance that can help him is a lost bullet. During a time when many action scenes use computer graphics, Lost Bullet uses real stunts instead. The crashing, flipping, and high-speed pursuits are real, making the action-heavy and substantial in a way that cannot be achieved with computer effects. When vehicles collide with each other in this movie, you actually experience it. Lino is different from the usual action heroes. He is not an ex-soldier or a super spy—he is a resourceful mechanic. He applies his car knowledge in clever manners, utilizing them as both tools and weapons. Rather than simply shooting his way out of situations, Lino switches cars rapidly to bypass obstacles. It’s a bit like watching MacGyver but with cars. Lost Bullet does not incorporate additional side plots or intricate backstories. The film knows its mission and delivers a straightforward tale of revenge and clearing his name without any added material. The plot continues to move forward and never bogs down in too much backstory. The film doesn’t rely on clever dialogue or lengthy monologues. People speak only when necessary, and much of the action is conveyed visually. This allows Lost Bullet to be easily accessible, even if you are not a fan of reading subtitles. The action and emotion translate well, regardless of the language that you speak. Alban Lenoir, as Lino, deserves particular attention. He gives a solid performance as a mechanic who wants to make things right. He also did most of his own stunts and helped create some of the action sequences. You can see his character’s determination in his face during the film, typically conveying more through facial expressions than words. The supporting cast performs well, too, particularly Nicolas Duvauchelle as the drugs officer Areski, adding a decent level of menace to his character. Ramzy Bedia is Charas, whose character demonstrates what is right towards the beginning of the film. Guillaume Pierret, directing for the first time, is impressive and assured. He knows when to slow it down for dramatic character moments and when to pick it up for thrilling action. Doing short films has probably taught him how to be economical—there’s not a single wasted scene throughout the film. The cinematography deserves praise for utilizing a few locations extremely effectively. The car chases are large-scale and thrilling, and close combat is presented upfront—no shaky camera or fast cuts are used to obscure the action. You can actually see what’s happening in fight scenes, which is appreciated since it’s not the norm for action films these days. The sound work enhances the experience, with each engine growl, metal crunch, and impact feeling very solid. The score knows when to get you pumped up and when to restrain. Lost Bullet is compared to the Fast and Furious films because it deals with automobiles, but it’s more comparable in tone to 1970s car chase films like Bullitt or The French Connection. It’s grittier, more realistic, and lacks the over-the-top stunts of the later Fast films. If you liked movies like Drive or Baby Driver because of the car scenes but would prefer more upfront action, then Lost Bullet might be for you. It embraces the car skill of those films, but in more conclusive action sequences. Lost Bullet proves that action movies are still flourishing outside of Hollywood. Its stripped-down narrative, no-nonsense stunts, and unconventional hero set it apart from a crowded field. It clocks in at just a bit over 90 minutes, so it doesn’t wear out its welcome, and the conclusion will leave you hoping for more, in the best way. Its success prompted Netflix to approve a sequel (Lost Bullet 2), indicating that they knew they had something good on their hands here. If you’re in the mood for a fun but not dumb action movie, Lost Bullet is the way to go. If you enjoy action movies and are willing to endure subtitles (or even if you’re not, the visuals are pleasant), this French movie has to be on your list. It shows that sometimes the best new ideas in proven genres are from the most unexpected places.
OUR RATING – A FRENCH 7