"A man has to use his talents on a motorcycle to make drug runs."
Burn Out is a French film directed by Yann Gozlan that has a very simple premise, but ultimately fails to make the most of its potential and ends up feeling rather pedestrian.
It plays out much like a video game tutorial, where you get to trial a variety of bikes, and practice obstacles, but there is no real inherent risk or overwhelming difficulty. Every obstacle is surpassed with minimal resistance and is then never mentioned again.
For a film about drug-running on a motorbike, one would hope for some stunts or long runs, but the focus isn't on the physical burnout of the tires of a vehicle; instead, it focuses on the mental burnout of the protagonist (François Civil) and his struggle to balance a variety of competing obligations, whether it be work, family, or dreams. A burn out of the mind, if you will.
The inability to stretch out any impediments wastes potential long-term sources of tension, preventing suspense from building up towards a satisfying climax.
Sterile is a word that would suit this film very well. Three competing gangs, large shipments of drugs, high-speed racing, and physical violence, there is no reason why this should be a bland, tedious film, and yet here we are.
Perhaps this is all due to lead star François Civil (who plays Tony) coming off rather unemotional and apathetic to his situation, but the film remains rather stagnant throughout, until the climax where it finally picks up the pace and brings it back into the action category. With over-the-top, one-dimensional characters, the standout performance actually came from Gypsy Kingpin, Miguel (played by Olivier Rabourdin) who displayed a range of emotions and ferocity in a subdued but analytical manner.
Tony's main motivation for undertaking the course of action that he does is from his ex, Leyla (played by Manon Azem). She does a great job as a damsel in distress but offers little else besides a beautiful face.
A wasted premise that with a more charismatic lead and some better writing could have been a great thrilling action piece to rival the Fast & Furious franchise. but with underdeveloped characters and a flailing set of obstacles, Burn Out fails to ask the serious questions.