LARGO WINCH

France, 2008, 108 minutes, Colour.
Tomer Sisley, Kristin Scott Thomas, Miki Manojlovic, Melanie Thierry, Gilbert Melki, Karel Roden, Steven Waddington, Anne Consigny, Benedict Wong.
Directed by Jerome Salle.

Largo Winch is based on a series of comics by Belgian authors Van Hamme and Franq. The series has been adapted for the screen by director Jerome Salle, director of Anthony Zimmer and its English-language remake, The Tourist, with Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie. He also directed the sequel to Largo Winch.

The central character is an orphan from Eastern Europe adopted by a financier and brought up by foster parents. When his father is murdered, the issue of the ownership of the company arises – in Hong Kong.

Tomer Sisley, a German actor, portrays Largo Winch in both films. Here he is supported by Kristin Scott Thomas as the vice president of the company who is involved in some dealings against Largo. There is a range of international cast for the members of the company as well as others hired to get rid of Largo.

Ultimately, Largo succeeds and inherits the company – to be dramatised in the sequel.

1. The title, based on comic strips? The treatment, comic book style, realistic?

2. International atmosphere, Hong Kong, the Balkans, Brazil? The international cast?

3. Expectations, Largo Winch as a character, hero? The villains?

4. The framing, the boat, the killing, the diver? The company, inheritance?

5. Winch, going to Eastern Europe, selecting the orphans, Largo as a little boy, the others, the foster parents, leaving the children, the growing up, scenes of play, at home, styles? Logo developing as a character, emerging as an adult?

6. The issues of companies, death, inheritance, the business world, competition, the Board? Plans, wealth and development?

7. Largo in Brazil, his age, life, the encounter with the girl, helping her, the sexual encounter – and her being seen later, the letter and tearing it up? Brazil, prison, drugs, his escape?

8. Largo and his return, tone, his character, appearance, meeting with the board, the presence of Ann Ferguson, her role, the business plans, the meetings, the buying shares, ownership, the double dealing?

9. Rivalry, the encounter with Goran, the story of the children, the father in the past? The confrontation, Goran’s death?

10. The members of the board, Ann Ferguson and her role, the meeting with the shareholders, her speech, the film and the different background and had recorded voice, exposé, failure?

11. Largo and confrontations, the British and Stephan, the Chinese and William Kwan?

12. The success, Largo Winch’s new role, quiet by the water, the child, playing? The inheritance – and the move towards a sequel?