A violinist jewel thief tries to stop his revolutionary brother and ends up with a target on his own back in Jean-Pierre Mocky’s 1970 gripping thriller Solo. Coming to Blu-ray from Radiance Films.
In the second half of the Radiance Film’s Jean-Pierre Mocky duology of releases for June 2026, after La Tete Contre les Murs, we move forward to 1970. Now adding directing to the starring and writing, Jean-Pierre Mocky does it all. For Solo, it’s a volatile time in France. Groups of revolutionaries are causing death and disruptions across the country, due to various inequities and notices. For Solo, Mocky plays a man pulled into a world of violence and intrigue. But he also directs with a flair for darkness and simmering unease. It’s a gripping film.
Vincent Cabral, played by Mocky, is a wonderful character. He’s a violinist who makes extra cash through some criminal enterprises, such as diamond fencing. But he finds his brother may be a different sort of criminal, as part of a Marxist student group who have tipped into violence after shooting up an orgy of rich old men and underage girls. He’s working the line between criminal and law, working with both sides to get ahead. Thus, there’s a wonderful turn as he tries to get ahead of his brother, stop him, avoid the police (now he’s targeted as part of the gang), and maybe bed a few beautiful women along the way.
Solo is a vibrant crime film, a driving chase, and a cruel portrait of disillusionment with the shifting world, the underworld bubbling under the safety of society. The characters have depth, and the suspense brims to the edge. Friends, I loved this movie. Mocky’s film is one of fascinating intrigue, many moving parts, strong character development, working in the grey areas of society, and what we owe our family, ourselves, and society. Okay, the students are going over the line, but one can see reasons and greys.
This review may be short, but this movie is incredible. Trust me.
The Packaging
Radiance Films packages Solo on a single-disc Blu-ray. This is the first time on Blu in the world. It’s packed in the short, clear case, it has a reversible sleeve with designs based on the original posters. Inside is the booklet. Radiance’s OBI sleeve is attached to keep a clear cover.
Limited to 3000 copies. Spine number 178.
Presentation
The 4k restoration by Eclaire Classics is supervised by Mocky Delicious Productions. It’s a good one, highlighting the darkness in the film. Audio is uncompressed mono PCM. In French with English subtitles.
The Features
Like La Tête Contre les Murs, Solo has a small but notable set of features.
Jean-Pierre Mocky (2018)
Mocky reflects on the hows and whys of the film, where it came in response to a 1968 true incident and his process. (13m)
Anne Deleuze (2022)
Solo was Deleuze’s first role in a lifetime of performances (often as a French dub artist). She gives a great reminiscence on starting in the biz, working with Mocky, and the set life. (17m)
Eric La Roy (2022)
La Roy, also seen on the other disc, was Mocky’s assistant and speaks about working with him, this film, and others. (15m)
Booklet
Radiance includes a 28-page stapled booklet. It includes two archival, contemporary writings from 1970. Jean-Pierre Mocky, The Maverick of French Cinema. It’s an interview with Mocky by Daniel Geldreich & An Interview with Jean Pierre Mocky by Max Tessier. Both interviews have Mocky talk about his career from La Tete until Solo, what comes next, what influences him, and his outlook on French cinema of the time. Quite a nice set.
Final Thoughts
Solo is a solid political thriller, highlighting the issues of France of its time. Driving and with a great look via a beautiful transfer, Jean-Pierre Mocky’s Solo is another gem highlighted by Radiance’s goal of bringing corners of world cinema to more eyes.
Looked all over, and never did see Chewbacca or Mario Van Peebles. Weird.