The two part french film Mesrine is based on the life of a notorious french gangster. The two films cover his life over the course of about 30 years. Film one being during his twenties and film 2 being in his 30s/40s. The films were shot in reverse chronological order. This was to allow Vincent Casselle to manage his weight easier. Starting out playing the older overweight Mesrine and then gradually losing the weight as he was playing the younger Mesrine. Taking the weight off in a controlled rate was easier than putting it on apparently.