"Target Number One" is a well directed, well acted and compelling Canadian film that everyone should see.
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In this drama based on a true story, a Canadian journalist investigates the circumstances surrounding the suspicious arrest of a heroin addict imprisoned in a Thai jail.
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Well crafted and unafraid of telling the true story; "Target Number One" dives deep into a frustratingly un-Canadian crime story and really delivers. This is the first Canadian film to be released since Covid-19 hit and it truly is a really good film to kick it off. Josh Hartnett gives probably the performance of his career and Antoine Olivier Pilon is exceptional. The film is never boring nor does it lag, it's the perfect length and pace and I really enjoyed it.
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67 Reviews
Amazing true story - not so great movie
eslapionfl27 July 2020
I remember reading the actual news from this incident back when I was in my late teens, early twenties. Victor Malarek did an incredibly good job at showing how incompetent Canadian officials who couldn't cause a significant dent in the drug trade coming from Asia into north america decided to use a straw man to create a fictitious incident in order to improve their image.
The incident in itself and how it was covered back then by journalist Malarek was plain riveting. Unfortunately, the movie that was made about it is clearly not a top quality product and misuses the talent of great actors. Still worth watching just to learn about what happened.
Interesting...
Thanos_Alfie5 August 2020
"Target Number One" is a Biography - Thriller movie in which we watch a Canadian journalist trying to find out the truth behind the arrest of a Canadian man in Thailand. Everything seems very strange since his arrest happened in a very weird situation and under circumstances that cannot being explained by the authorities.
I liked this movie because it is inspired by true events, it had a nice, simple and interesting plot that is combined very well with a nice direction which was made by Daniel Roby who is also the writer. Regarding the interpretations of the cast, Antoine Olivier Pilon who played as Daniel Léger was very good and his interpretation was simply amazing, Josh Hartnett who played as Victor Malarek was equally good and Jim Gaffigan who played as Glen Picker was also good. Finally, I believe that "Target Number One" is a nice thriller movie with much of suspense that you will keep you in tense through the whole duration of it and I am sure that you will like it.
I liked this movie because it is inspired by true events, it had a nice, simple and interesting plot that is combined very well with a nice direction which was made by Daniel Roby who is also the writer. Regarding the interpretations of the cast, Antoine Olivier Pilon who played as Daniel Léger was very good and his interpretation was simply amazing, Josh Hartnett who played as Victor Malarek was equally good and Jim Gaffigan who played as Glen Picker was also good. Finally, I believe that "Target Number One" is a nice thriller movie with much of suspense that you will keep you in tense through the whole duration of it and I am sure that you will like it.
Well researched, surprisingly accurate for a relatively low budget Canadian movie.
amiles7230 July 2020
Well worth a watch! A credible account that was well depicted.
I can't speak for 80's Canada but it got 80's Thailand spot on. DEA and British customs were very active in Thailand at that time. They pressured the Thai police which,in turn, vigorously targeted foreigners, escalating the severity of relatively minor drug offences, and if they didn't have the funds to buy their way out of trouble, in they went. To divert attention from the real ( protected) players, to satisfy visable Thai compliance, to deter chancers and newcomers but predominantly to bolster publicity for Reagan and Bush's, well funded and highly lucrative "just say no! " "war on drugs."
There from 84 to 92. The film brought back a lot of memories, not least those shackles that Justin Jackson mentions in his review. I'd forgotten the peeling blue/green paint that was everywhere. The prison population seemed authentic apart from a lack locked up foreigners (among other nationalities lots of Nigerian mules were convicted around that time) the film depicts the situation and era very well.
I can't speak for 80's Canada but it got 80's Thailand spot on. DEA and British customs were very active in Thailand at that time. They pressured the Thai police which,in turn, vigorously targeted foreigners, escalating the severity of relatively minor drug offences, and if they didn't have the funds to buy their way out of trouble, in they went. To divert attention from the real ( protected) players, to satisfy visable Thai compliance, to deter chancers and newcomers but predominantly to bolster publicity for Reagan and Bush's, well funded and highly lucrative "just say no! " "war on drugs."
There from 84 to 92. The film brought back a lot of memories, not least those shackles that Justin Jackson mentions in his review. I'd forgotten the peeling blue/green paint that was everywhere. The prison population seemed authentic apart from a lack locked up foreigners (among other nationalities lots of Nigerian mules were convicted around that time) the film depicts the situation and era very well.
a good movie, but felt disconnected
LetsReviewThat2622 May 2022
This was an alright biographic movie with elements of crime and thriller added. The cast did well portraying the characters. Josh Hartnett playing victor was a good choice in my opinion as well. But aside from everything else seeming ok the movie itself just felt disconnected, the way the sections were added almost didn't create a liner story and as I watched, I wondered why they were doing this and why he was there and such. Overall a good biographical movie, it could've just been a better approach to it.
Okay!!
rlturnerjr14 August 2020
Decent crime thriller
radhrh24 July 2022
If you're in the mood for a complex true crime thriller then Target Number One will fit the bill nicely. You'll have to pay attention though as there are lots of moving parts, many characters and broken time lines which can make it difficult to follow. Some of the characters break into French often without subtitles which is a bit anoying. Characters disappear never to be seen again and scenes end abruptly without conclusion. For all these faults I still enjoyed it and it's nice to see Josh Hartnet getting a leading role, if only in a low budget movie like this. I hope it leads to bigger and better things for him.
A well-made thriller about drugs and clowns
mbrcf9 September 2020
If you've ever been to the city of Vancouver BC, you'd know that the city has a very tangible drug problem and this Canadian film tells a true story of a simple, day-to-day heroin addict got stupidly mistaken for an international drug dealer and sentenced to life in Thailand. The film basically manifests how the police and government were incapable of dealing with such matters and how they made an absolute clownery of this case. 30 years later, the issue still remains, much worse today than it was at 1992, the year which the film's story is based on.
This is a well-made investigative thriller that divides it's story into three parts with different narratives and moves them simoultaneously until they are pieced together and complete the picture. We get to see the events from the policemen, the young drug addict and from a journalist named Victor Malarek (Josh Harnett) who'll investigate the incident afterwards. The technicals are just there to aid telling the story so you wouldn't find anything bold about the camerawork, production design, score, etc. In my opinion the film can be 20 minutes shorter without damaging the material as it can be a little boring near the end, but it manages what it intends to and that's to inform, to retell the story and to make sure it would never happen again in this country.
This is a well-made investigative thriller that divides it's story into three parts with different narratives and moves them simoultaneously until they are pieced together and complete the picture. We get to see the events from the policemen, the young drug addict and from a journalist named Victor Malarek (Josh Harnett) who'll investigate the incident afterwards. The technicals are just there to aid telling the story so you wouldn't find anything bold about the camerawork, production design, score, etc. In my opinion the film can be 20 minutes shorter without damaging the material as it can be a little boring near the end, but it manages what it intends to and that's to inform, to retell the story and to make sure it would never happen again in this country.
Most Engaging
itsbobr11 October 2020
This is inspired by a true story, but they also say some scenes were fictionalized for dramatic purposes.
Journalist Victor Malarek (Josh Hartnett) decides to go after dirty cops in Canada to help free Daniel Leger (Antonio Olivier Pelon) an ex-Junkie who got involved in a bad drug deal and is now in a Thailand prison.
As you watch you think there are 2-stories in here, but the film goes back and fourth often between the past and the present. All you see about Daniel Leger, a small-time junkie is background before he goes to Thailand funded by the Canadian Police to bring in a huge drug bust. The cops headed by Sgt Frank Cooper (McHattie) are told Daniel is a big time drug king with connections in Thailand drugs. Journalist Victor finds out the truth and tries to convince his editors that the Canadian cops are breaking the law using Daniel to get a big drug bust even though they know Daniel is not a drug lord.
Now who told the Canadian cops that Daniel is a big time drug lord? It was Glen Picker (Jim Gaffigan) who is a Confidential Informant for Frank Cooper and he sees a way to make more money from that job. Frank Cooper was passed over for promotion and sees a way to make himself relevant.
As I said, this story jumps back and forth often and it can become confusing. When I saw a scene that showed Daniel out of prison, I wondered how he got out, but then it dawned on me that this scene was again part of his background before going to Thailand. See?
Notables: A very pretty Amanda Crew as Anna, Victor's wife, who believes Victor is more Interested in his job than in his wife and new baby; Jim Gaffigan as Glen Picker, who runs a fishing charter business and takes in Daniel when Daniel had no money and no place to go.
I felt the story had too many scenes with Daniel in a Thailand prison and some of this this was hard to watch.
All in all we see Daniel who believed in the system and was betrayed by it, and unscrupulous police acting to promote themselves; and then we see someone who tries to right injustice.
See the statements at the end to find out what happened to everyone. (7/10)
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: No. Language: Yes, but not much. Rating: B (11 October 2020)
Journalist Victor Malarek (Josh Hartnett) decides to go after dirty cops in Canada to help free Daniel Leger (Antonio Olivier Pelon) an ex-Junkie who got involved in a bad drug deal and is now in a Thailand prison.
As you watch you think there are 2-stories in here, but the film goes back and fourth often between the past and the present. All you see about Daniel Leger, a small-time junkie is background before he goes to Thailand funded by the Canadian Police to bring in a huge drug bust. The cops headed by Sgt Frank Cooper (McHattie) are told Daniel is a big time drug king with connections in Thailand drugs. Journalist Victor finds out the truth and tries to convince his editors that the Canadian cops are breaking the law using Daniel to get a big drug bust even though they know Daniel is not a drug lord.
Now who told the Canadian cops that Daniel is a big time drug lord? It was Glen Picker (Jim Gaffigan) who is a Confidential Informant for Frank Cooper and he sees a way to make more money from that job. Frank Cooper was passed over for promotion and sees a way to make himself relevant.
As I said, this story jumps back and forth often and it can become confusing. When I saw a scene that showed Daniel out of prison, I wondered how he got out, but then it dawned on me that this scene was again part of his background before going to Thailand. See?
Notables: A very pretty Amanda Crew as Anna, Victor's wife, who believes Victor is more Interested in his job than in his wife and new baby; Jim Gaffigan as Glen Picker, who runs a fishing charter business and takes in Daniel when Daniel had no money and no place to go.
I felt the story had too many scenes with Daniel in a Thailand prison and some of this this was hard to watch.
All in all we see Daniel who believed in the system and was betrayed by it, and unscrupulous police acting to promote themselves; and then we see someone who tries to right injustice.
See the statements at the end to find out what happened to everyone. (7/10)
Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Nudity: No. Humor: No. Language: Yes, but not much. Rating: B (11 October 2020)
Pretty Good. Not confusing.
qp_94 August 2020
Camera shaking
Matoaka28 December 2022
I was looking forward to watching this movie because despite the low rating score it had great reviews.
However after starting on a pretty good way, I just had to stop watching it around 15 minutes due to the horrible short shots and the very bad camera shaking.
I felt like I was on a boat in the middle of the sea!
It actually gave me motion sickness for how bad it was and after reading through all the reviews I realised that the bad camera shots were actually an issue that few viewers experienced.
Now I understand the low budget and everything but I feel that steady camera shots should be the basic of good cinematography.
Pity it could have been a good film to watch, I guess I'll never know.
However after starting on a pretty good way, I just had to stop watching it around 15 minutes due to the horrible short shots and the very bad camera shaking.
I felt like I was on a boat in the middle of the sea!
It actually gave me motion sickness for how bad it was and after reading through all the reviews I realised that the bad camera shots were actually an issue that few viewers experienced.
Now I understand the low budget and everything but I feel that steady camera shots should be the basic of good cinematography.
Pity it could have been a good film to watch, I guess I'll never know.
Underrated film!
marcushwilder24 July 2020
Authentic Thai
thai33 August 2020
Very real Thai scenes depicting 1980's Bangkok, some like the Station Hotel have not changed. But when it says prisoners are singing in Thai they are praying in Pali and I have yet to come across zen Buddhism in Thailand, it's theravada.
Headache inducing
ryandavis-6838114 November 2020
Absolute Garbled Junk & MANY False Good Reviews
Ladybbird-269-94514625 July 2020
Amazing that all the positive reviews were msde either1 day before release or a day after. Within 8 mins I gave up as the music was so loud it completely blocked out what the actos were saying.
Movies usually never work out well when the writer also directs them. This was the case for this one
More bumbling than sinister, but worth a watch
Hallelujah28921 January 2022
"Most Wanted" (aka "Target Number One") tells the story of a junkie who was manipulated into becoming a scapegoat for an overfunded police drug investigation.
The more the story unfolds the more it appears to be the result of various mistakes and negligence rather than intent to harm. This makes for a blustering flub that was attempted to be swept out of view rather than a web of evil deceit.
However the junkie definitely got the short end of the stick, abandoned by his government because of an oversight about Thailand's narcotic law. Thankfully, a zealous journalist is keen to catch the scandal in its tracks and bring the junkie out of Thailand to Canadian justice.
"Most Wanted" tells a meaningful story of recovery of a junkie, both in getting him clean and getting him home. However it isn't a tale of heroes or villains as much as a comedy of errors where the stakes are death and prison. The hero just wants to get high, and the villains just don't want to come up empty handed at the next performance review as it becomes more and more apparent they've done a botched job.
Perhaps in like manner to its characters the film also tries to cast an appearance of there being more mystery and actual villainous planning than there really is. Sure the cops appear shadowy, but truthfully, they are just embarrassed geezers out of their depth.
While I didn't find the tone of the film convincing, and now thinking about the film it seems surreal that a nobody junkie can get caught up in the way he did across the globe. I'm sure something is left out, or else this is the most unfortunate or oblivious, constantly high junkie there could be.
Whatever the case is, I'm glad that events happened enough to rescue a junkie nearly forgotten by the law. Josh Hartnett gives a fine performance as the journalist.
Perhaps my strongest takeaway is that life isn't like the movies, and sometimes truly terrible outcomes can be the result of many small actions of combined negligence, greed, and chasing a high. But by the same token, some good outcomes that right serious wrongs can be the result of a journalist merely sniffing out a front page news story.
The more the story unfolds the more it appears to be the result of various mistakes and negligence rather than intent to harm. This makes for a blustering flub that was attempted to be swept out of view rather than a web of evil deceit.
However the junkie definitely got the short end of the stick, abandoned by his government because of an oversight about Thailand's narcotic law. Thankfully, a zealous journalist is keen to catch the scandal in its tracks and bring the junkie out of Thailand to Canadian justice.
"Most Wanted" tells a meaningful story of recovery of a junkie, both in getting him clean and getting him home. However it isn't a tale of heroes or villains as much as a comedy of errors where the stakes are death and prison. The hero just wants to get high, and the villains just don't want to come up empty handed at the next performance review as it becomes more and more apparent they've done a botched job.
Perhaps in like manner to its characters the film also tries to cast an appearance of there being more mystery and actual villainous planning than there really is. Sure the cops appear shadowy, but truthfully, they are just embarrassed geezers out of their depth.
While I didn't find the tone of the film convincing, and now thinking about the film it seems surreal that a nobody junkie can get caught up in the way he did across the globe. I'm sure something is left out, or else this is the most unfortunate or oblivious, constantly high junkie there could be.
Whatever the case is, I'm glad that events happened enough to rescue a junkie nearly forgotten by the law. Josh Hartnett gives a fine performance as the journalist.
Perhaps my strongest takeaway is that life isn't like the movies, and sometimes truly terrible outcomes can be the result of many small actions of combined negligence, greed, and chasing a high. But by the same token, some good outcomes that right serious wrongs can be the result of a journalist merely sniffing out a front page news story.
still a criminal
SnoopyStyle25 January 2022
In 1989, newspaper reporter Victor Malarek (Josh Hartnett) travels to Thailand to interview imprisoned Canadian Daniel Léger (Antoine Olivier Pilon). He suspects foul play by the Canadian authorities. Sleazy informant Glen Picker (Jim Gaffigan) had sold Daniel as a drug kingpin importing heroin from Thailand to his police handler Sergeant Frank Cooper (Stephen McHattie).
This should be sold as a case of police corruption. I am glad that the film doesn't short-shrift Daniel's petty wrong-doings but that also makes him a less appealing victim. He's a victim of his own bad decisions. Saving him is not a big motivation. It's more compelling to take down corrupt cops. That's the better spin but spin may not be the story's goal. It's also a very cookie-cutter story. Again, based on a true story is holding it back. It's fine. I like some of these actors.
This should be sold as a case of police corruption. I am glad that the film doesn't short-shrift Daniel's petty wrong-doings but that also makes him a less appealing victim. He's a victim of his own bad decisions. Saving him is not a big motivation. It's more compelling to take down corrupt cops. That's the better spin but spin may not be the story's goal. It's also a very cookie-cutter story. Again, based on a true story is holding it back. It's fine. I like some of these actors.
Surprisingly Engaging Underrated Action Flick
ketgup8321 November 2020
Sometime you go and watch a movie with least expectation and then it turns out to be surprisingly good after watching it. Target Number One is one of those crime-thriller films which was engaging right till the end.
Based on the true events, the Daniel Roby directed Target Number One became an interesting watch right from the beginning as the protagonist found something fishing in the imprisonment of Daniel Leger. The story switches between the past and present of how Daniel Leger meeting with a drug lord and how he actually he lands up in the Thai jail while the story of Victor runs in parallel as he convinces his boss to allow him investigate the case.
The good part of watching Target Number One is that it gives you plenty adrenalin rush and action sequences that will keep you entertained from the beginning till the end. The screenplay looses the rhythm in between but gathers the pace later. Direction is good. It will be really challenging to adapt the story and turn it into reel. Story is amazing. Cinematography and editing are fantastic.
Performances by Josh Hartnett and Antonie Oliver Pilon leads the movie. Both of them play their part effortlessly. I felt Target Number One was under-rated movie which was not promoted aggressively. The energy and effort put into this film has to appreciated and turn it into a good watch. Nevertheless , it is a nice crime thriller with wonderful story which is definitely worth watching. Go for it. 3/5
Target Number One is currently streaming on Zeeplex.
Based on the true events, the Daniel Roby directed Target Number One became an interesting watch right from the beginning as the protagonist found something fishing in the imprisonment of Daniel Leger. The story switches between the past and present of how Daniel Leger meeting with a drug lord and how he actually he lands up in the Thai jail while the story of Victor runs in parallel as he convinces his boss to allow him investigate the case.
The good part of watching Target Number One is that it gives you plenty adrenalin rush and action sequences that will keep you entertained from the beginning till the end. The screenplay looses the rhythm in between but gathers the pace later. Direction is good. It will be really challenging to adapt the story and turn it into reel. Story is amazing. Cinematography and editing are fantastic.
Performances by Josh Hartnett and Antonie Oliver Pilon leads the movie. Both of them play their part effortlessly. I felt Target Number One was under-rated movie which was not promoted aggressively. The energy and effort put into this film has to appreciated and turn it into a good watch. Nevertheless , it is a nice crime thriller with wonderful story which is definitely worth watching. Go for it. 3/5
Target Number One is currently streaming on Zeeplex.
Most Wanted/Target Number One (2020) tt1656177
just-9498228 July 2020
Good story, lil' under mediocre x-cution
(It also waaaay 2 american then it should be, especially Ukrainian reporter who got what he wanted 2 b, it's also '89 - this should be more raw then it is but whatever, i'm already surprised that some censorship was given some slack)
Always-on-Canadian-police-side twitter nerds r triggered now XD
(It also waaaay 2 american then it should be, especially Ukrainian reporter who got what he wanted 2 b, it's also '89 - this should be more raw then it is but whatever, i'm already surprised that some censorship was given some slack)
Always-on-Canadian-police-side twitter nerds r triggered now XD
Sure,,will enjoy
saeedygujjar21 November 2020
Grateful. I Feel Grateful.
wandernn1-81-68327428 March 2022
I hate movies that change their names! -1 Star And Wow this was a pretty good biopic. Great performances here I thought, impressed as usual by Hartnett. Great job by Pilon. Great job especially by McHattie who always reminds me of me for some reason.
Bottom line is it's a movie about the Canadian coppers setting up a low level junkie to do a drug buy in Thailand and they end up getting one of their own officers killed and get the lowbie junkie sentenced to death, then changed to 100 years in prison.
And, the investigative journalist that blows the case open.
This is a statement too about 'law enforcement', how corrupt they are, setting up people to fail ALL THE TIME. This happens in every country and most of the time we know nothing about it. It's really sad.
But all in all this was a good flick. How about quit changing movie names? 6/10.
Bottom line is it's a movie about the Canadian coppers setting up a low level junkie to do a drug buy in Thailand and they end up getting one of their own officers killed and get the lowbie junkie sentenced to death, then changed to 100 years in prison.
And, the investigative journalist that blows the case open.
This is a statement too about 'law enforcement', how corrupt they are, setting up people to fail ALL THE TIME. This happens in every country and most of the time we know nothing about it. It's really sad.
But all in all this was a good flick. How about quit changing movie names? 6/10.
A complete mess...
matt-2400119 August 2020
Is it me or are TV series now simply better than 90% of movies now? I had fairly high hopes for this movie despite what sounded like a cliche premise, but keeping in mind that it was based on a true story. The storyline bounces around all over the place and at every turn, you can guess what happens next. The renegade reporter, the frustrated editor, the typical drug dealer and 'protege,' the immediate love interest, the stereotypical cops with no layers, and the corrupt government officials. We've seen it a million times, but sometimes it's worth watching again if done right (City on a Hill). This movie fails miserably and I struggled to get through the first hour. It's as if producers, directors, and writers are sitting in a movie sweatshop (Thailand in this case) trying to pump out as many movies as possible. Then they are completely baffled as to why no one wants to go to the theatre and spend $50.
There is zero character development and the acting is mediocre at best. Antoine Pilon keeps it interesting and Jim Gaffigan tries hard (and fails miserably), but this is a movie you should wait to see for free on a winter afternoon if the football is cancelled because of COVID. Thankfully, Amazon Prime had it as a special for $2.99 and I can see why. Does my review contain spoilers? Absolutely not because there is zero intrigue with this diluted and discombobulated disaster of a movie.
There is zero character development and the acting is mediocre at best. Antoine Pilon keeps it interesting and Jim Gaffigan tries hard (and fails miserably), but this is a movie you should wait to see for free on a winter afternoon if the football is cancelled because of COVID. Thankfully, Amazon Prime had it as a special for $2.99 and I can see why. Does my review contain spoilers? Absolutely not because there is zero intrigue with this diluted and discombobulated disaster of a movie.
Having been there this is 95% right - never seen any film more spot on
justinsjackson27 July 2020
Worth a watch - got the Bombad stuff 100% right - almost wish i hadnt watched it - the clothes the conditions - the chains we wore and that constant tinkle in the back ground of chains As for the story - met so many guys in Bombad and Klong prem that got set up that way - I actually worked with a guy in the E thing that we found out later was also feeding the DEA set up busts - Bradley was his name - someone gave him a hotshot in a patpong cafe - guessing he got susseed out - but yes this kind of BS was still going on Mid 90s and am guessing it still is
"Inspired" by a defective memory, but a good yarn nonetheless
gliderguy13 March 2022
This is supposedly a movie about a junkie (Daniel Leger played by Antoine Pilon) that was entrapped by the RCMP to do a drug deal in Thailand. The truth is that he was a more than willing participant, but for movie dramatization let's go with the former. His case is taken up by investigative reporter Victor Malarek, as in Train Wreck, played by Josh Hartnett. A good supporting role of a wannabe drug kingpin Glen Picker is played by Jim Gaffigan. Leger, who is a pseudonym for Alain Olivier, ends up in a Thai prison for 8 years before being released for reasons that are fuzzy at best.
The movie is a bit disjointed and too long, for sure, but is entertaining. You definitely do not want to get on the wrong side of the law in Thailand.
The movie is a bit disjointed and too long, for sure, but is entertaining. You definitely do not want to get on the wrong side of the law in Thailand.
Very poor quality camera work
lauriemiller-052842 August 2020
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