Just as Luke Skywalker in Star Wars must face Darth Vader (his father, turned evil) and defeat him, Joseph must overcome Larsin, his biological father, in order to save his mother. The context is difficult to grasp at the beginning but patience is rewarded when all comes together and clarification is provided later on in the manner of Miss Marple or Sherlock Holmes revealing the truth. Beautiful photography, colorful characters, witty dialogues, a sense of humor and drama, and a fresh contemporary treatment of the turn-of-the-century atmosphere make this film a delight to watch. The character of Larsin calls to mind Fantômas, also a French literary creation from the early 20th century.