In recent years, Alban Lenoir, who turned down a role in a massive franchise, has established himself as an important action figure in the French film landscape. first with Lost bullet. Released on Netflix in June 2020, the film directed by Guillaume Pierret had met with great success which even exceeded our borders, accumulating more than 37 million visionaries around the world. The second installment, released two years later, featured even more impressive footage. Soon, the 42-year-old French actor will continue his journey on the American platform with a boosted remake of the classic The wages of fearavant Lost ball 3. In the meantime, Alban Lenoir wets the jersey again in AKA, available on Netflix from this Friday, April 28, 2023. He plays Adam Franco, a super-agent who chains the legends (these identities created for secret agents) in unofficial missions for the government. He must then infiltrate a mafia organization in order to thwart an imminent attack in the capital. So what is worth AKA ? Tele-Leisure saw it for you.
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Charismatic actors
Around him, Alban Lenoir can first count on an astonishing cast. In a completely different register, Éric Cantona and Thibault de Montalembert bring all their charisma to AKA. The first finds a role that suits him like a glove by playing an established godfather. The former star of the series Ten percent shines on his side in the guise of a very gray character, the hero’s mentor. For her part, the character of Sveva Alviti (revealed in the biopic Dalida), rather strong and not simple “maffioso woman”, has its importance. Like the unexpected Natoo, the sober Saïdou Camara (Valid) in an interesting supporting role, or the young Lucille Guillaume and Noé Chabbat. All the characters have, on their scale, their usefulness.
A nuanced character
If lovers of Lost bullet will find their account there, AKA takes us on a different ground, and it is well all the success of the film. For his first feature film, Morgan S. Dalibert, a long-time friend of Alban Lenoir, mixes crime fiction and action with a double backdrop oscillating between terrorism and mafia. Paced without being nag, the film does not hesitate to play on calmer moments before the storm. By letting the story breathe when necessary, the French director takes the time to build his main character. An (anti-) hero in appearance boorish, even monolithic, but more endearing as the story progresses and his past resurfaces. Don’t worry, the fight sequences are on point. Starting with a very well felt introductory scene having the merit of setting the scene and introducing this super-agent.
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Alban Lenoir gives of his person
Adam Franco is more a cousin of Jason Bourne than the Lino of Lost bullet. In front of the camera, Alban Lenoir therefore stands out more for his talents in the clinch rather than for his qualities as a pilot. The physical actor proves to be effective and very credible in this very physically demanding role (but not only). His propensity to perform all his stunts himself has a lot to do with it. The director doesn’t need to cheat with a regular understudy, and it shows on screen in choreographed fight sequences, filmed flawlessly. Morgan S. Dalibert and Alban Lenoir, who wrote the screenplay together, thought of everything, including the turnaround. Even the conclusion is not left to chance…
