Back in 1989, a man by the name of Alain Olivier was arrested in Bangkok, Thailand and charged with the intention to traffic heroin. Convicted, Olivier spent eight years in prison for something he claims he was set up for.
That is right, Olivier claims he was set up by RCMP Agents, which involved them paying for his travels, including hotel/food expenses, to Thailand in order to get the drugs and bring them back into Canada. An investigative journalist named Victor Malarek heard about Alain Olivier and made his way to Thailand to interview in hopes to uncover the truth. Now, Canadian Filmmaker Daniel Roby brings this fascinating story to life in his new film Most Wanted, due out in select theaters and On Demand Friday, July 24th via Saban Films.
Titled Target Number One outside the USA, Most Wanted is a exactly what you think it might be, Crime Thriller based on the true story about aforementioned Investigative Journalist Victor Malrek and Alain Olivier; who for the sake of this film is called Daniel Léger. Malarek (Josh Hartnett: Pearl Harbor 2001, Penny Dreadful series) sets out to expose the truth about Daniel Léger (Antoine-Olivier Pilon: Mommy 2014, Nitro Rush 2016) who believes he was set up by dirty cops to go to Thailand and traffic two kilos of heroin.
Picking up with Daniel coming home after doing time for living the life of a junkie, he soon meets a man named Picker (Jim Gaffigan: Super Troopers 2001, 13 Going on 30 2004). Picker offers Daniel, not only a job and a place to stay, but also reminds him of what he is missing, thus tempting him with drugs. Replying he is not interested, Picker pushes deeper asking Daniel how long he has been clean in, making for a touchy subject with the ex-drug addict. From here Picker gets Daniel involved with Frank Cooper (Stephen Mchattie: Hustle 2000, 300 2006), who is an undercover cop. Then Daniel is forced into going to Thailand… and you can only imagine what happens then.
Then there is Victor Malarek, who is just trying to make a living to support himself and his wife with their newborn baby. While working for The Globe and Mail, he stumbles upon Daniel Léger’s story and claims he will get an interview. All the while he is involved, the dirty cops harass and try to scare Malarek into getting off the case. Through it all, even nearly losing his wife, he never once stopped believing Léger, on the verge of uncovering something massive.
In all, Most Wanted is a remarkably done Crime Thriller – from the acting, to the set design, to the depiction of the time period. Furthermore, the emotion the cast brings to their characters is quite believable. This is amplified by a solid score and action sequences that are well planned and very realistic looking.
Normally a two hour plus movie is usually not on the top of most people’s list to watch these days, but Most Wanted will definitely keeps you enthralled and on the edge of your seat. That is why Cryptic Rock gives it 5 out of 5 stars.
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