La banque Nemo: A story where the bad guy wins

Is it worth your time?

If you like movies where everything feels a bit crooked and nobody learns a lesson, La banque Nemo is going to be your speed. It isn't for people who need their protagonists to be brave or noble. Honestly, if you hate watching a jerk succeed, turn it off now. Otherwise, it’s a pretty interesting curiosity.

The whole thing hinges on this central idea that the villain just... wins. It’s not even a complicated win. He just maneuvers his way through a mess of people and ends up on top. It’s almost refreshing in how blunt it is about human selfishness.

I found myself watching Georges Pally and wondering if he knew he was playing the most unlikable guy in the room. He has this way of smiling that just makes you want to look away. Yikes.

Some random thoughts

• The pacing is kind of frantic, like everyone is rushing to get home for dinner.
• The dialogue is sharp, maybe too sharp? It cuts through the scenes like a dull knife.
• There’s a moment in the second act where a door slams in the background for no reason. Nobody reacts to it. I rewound it three times. It’s just... there.

Comparing this to something like The Grain of Dust makes you realize how much the tone of these older dramas can shift depending on how much they want you to care about the outcome. Here, they don't care at all. You shouldn't either.

It’s not a masterpiece. It’s not even that polished. But it has a mean streak that keeps you awake. It reminds me of the vibe in The Thumb Print, where you’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop, even if you know the shoe is made of lead.

The scene in the bank office? It goes on for about 40 seconds too long. You can literally hear the chairs squeaking under the actors. Someone should have oiled those hinges.

Ultimately—wait, I promised not to use that word—I mean, at the end of the day, you’re watching a guy build a house of cards. It’s funny that the movie doesn't bother to knock it down. 🃏