This French drama explores the complex relationships between gay and straight youths in multi-racial France. During the prologue, shy Algerian teen Samir (Mezziane Bardadi) and his best friend Rick (Romain Auger) rub bloody fingers together as they make a blood-brother's pact. Suddenly a shot rings out and Rick dies of a bullet wound in Samir's arms. Gang leader Jimmy (Stéphane Rideau) is best friends with sensitive writer Quentin (Pascal Cervo), who wants to turn his back on his friends to pursue his career. He won a writers contest and signed a contract to publish his first book, a chronicle of his friends' activities. Now he pays more attention to his career as an author than to his friends or his girlfriend Julie (Élodie Bouchez). Meanwhile university student Julie is becoming attracted to Jimmy, while bereaved Samir is in love with Quentin, who meets him at a party one night. Interested in finding more material for a second book, he gets Samir to tell about his relationship with the late Rick. It's difficult, but Samir complies even as he finds himself increasingly attracted to Quentin. When Quentin rejects Samir, it encourages him to reject his own past and enter into an intense relationship with Jimmy and Julie that will end up changing his life.
Out" magazine wrote that "À toute vitesse" "plays like a modern "Rebel without a Cause'" or "Splendor in the Grass", but this movie never really gets out of first gear. Although it was an official selection at the Cannes Film Festival, it is somewhat of a disappointment. Paying tribute to the rush associated with reaching the age of 20, this fast-paced sexually charged drama with the metaphor of speed to life lumbers a bit in its symbolism. It has its moments, but its aim seems to meander a bit, leaving a few loose ends. Cinematically the film is strong, especially as a debut film for its director, Gaël Morel--who also wrote the screenplay with Catherine Corsini. The English title is "Full Speed".
