Movie Review
Since then (and even before), a number of other shows and movies have aired depicting the cat-and-mouse games between the authorities.
It's clear from this illustrious history that any film attempting to jump into the same building block has steep mountains to climb in order to stand out. This is especially true when it comes to A Man of Action, a Spanish film streaming on Netflix.
Inspired by the life of Lucio Urtubia, the film explores the history of this enigmatic Spanish anarchist who ran a legendary counterfeiting operation in Paris. When the fake Traveler's Checks were handed over, America's biggest bank - City Bank - took notice of Lucio and tried to bring him down.
Before any of that happens, the movie spends a lot of time introducing Lucio and his history, starting with Lucio's upbringing in the 40s and how he hates the system so much. After his father's death, Lucio eventually meets Quico, a charismatic anarchist who teaches him the tricks of the trade and an important piece of advice, never trust a stranger.
Engaging And Watchable
Most of the movie moves at a pretty fast pace, which unfortunately doesn't bode well for the characters. While Lucio is consistently engaging and watchable, everyone else feels a little half-baked and underdeveloped. Anna in particular isn't given much time in the spotlight, which is disappointing because it would be nice to see her reaction to everything that happens without Lucio in the picture.
Aesthetically, everything looks pretty good here, and the shots of Paris are a particularly nice touch. The costumes and dialogue are both attractive and believable, and the music matches the tone this film is going for.
Man of Action is not a particularly tried and tested biography and is quite simple in its delivery. Still, there's a lot to like, and the brisk pace and energetic time jumps help give this film some much-needed momentum. It's not perfect, but it's a decent way to kill a few hours at the same time!