Every Wednesday until the cinemas reopen, the Nice Premium editorial team offers reviews of films and series on video-on-demand. Today we will focus on “Connectés.” It is the first feature film (excluding TV movies) directed by Romuald Boulanger. The film was supposed to be released in cinemas, but the re-lockdown changed those plans.
The video-on-demand platform Amazon Prime Video has once again saved a French production. After Katia Lewkowicz’s “Forte,” it’s now the turn of “Connectés” to be broadcast on the American site. Romuald Boulanger has brought together a five-star cast (François-Xavier Demaison, Nadia Farès, Stéphane de Groodt, Claudio Tagbo, Pascal Demolon, Michaël Youn, Audrey Fleurot, and Franck Dubosc) to create the first film about the confinement that we all experienced at the beginning of the year.
The plot is simple, we are immersed in the world of a group of friends who gather in a video conference at the end of the day for a virtual aperitif. For about ten minutes, we get to know the professional and family lives of the characters, as well as funny moments that some may have experienced during confinement. Like constant cohabitation with one’s children, couple disputes, or adapting to new technologies. All these joyful moments turn into drama when a mysterious masked man dressed in a red windbreaker takes Nico, played by Pascal Demolon, hostage.
For half of the film, the shots are fixed with the different webcams positioned around our screen. Then, for storytelling reasons, the action intensifies when some actors switch from a computer to a smartphone. It is this change that gives a second wind to the feature film and transitions it from one genre to another. On one hand humor, on the other suspense.
On the downside, “Connectés” can be criticized for poorly concealing the identity of the kidnapper. From his first appearance, we know who is hiding behind the mask and cap. Romuald Boulanger’s first film is not memorable, but it will give you a good time (1h25) during your confinement.
