Directed by actor-turned-director Mélanie Laurent, the latest Prime Video release “Freedom” (original title: Libre) explores the life of Bruno Sulak, the infamous “gentleman robber.” Once a soldier in the French Foreign Legion, Bruno gains notoriety for his audacious supermarket heists and repeated prison escapes, including a sensational jailbreak and a daring escape during transfer. His short life is filled with breathtaking exploits, making his story naturally gripping.
Laurent’s adaptation, however, misses the mark in capturing the true spirit of this complex fugitive. Rather than exploring Bruno’s rebellious adventures, the film leans heavily into his romantic entanglements, leaving much of his essence untouched. This choice might have been deliberate, perhaps aiming to reveal a softer side of Bruno. Even so, let’s dive into the plot to see how the film interprets the final days of this gentleman robber.
Spoilers Ahead
Freedom (Libre, 2024) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The film begins with a scene where Bruno Sulak, his girlfriend Annie, and his accomplice Drago, carry out a supermarket heist. They execute the robbery with remarkable calmness. This later surprises police officer George Moreas when he learns of it. Bruno’s signature style is to keep his heists swift and orderly, ensuring no one is harmed. Following the robbery, Bruno slips out of town, evading police efforts to uncover his whereabouts. Soon after, we see Bruno enjoying a carefree time with Annie, Drago, and Drago’s girlfriend, Marika.
As they plan their next heist, Bruno’s friend Patrick joins the group. However, Patrick’s addiction and lack of control lead to a disastrous turn. During the robbery, Patrick loses his composure and ends up shooting an old woman, an act that enrages Bruno. This incident deeply disturbs him, as it goes against his principles. Bruno’s charm and non-violent methods often leave even his victims acknowledging his unusual code of honor—but Patrick’s recklessness challenges everything Bruno believes in.
Why does Bruno Help Jean-Louis Escape from Prison?
Following a string of jewelry heists with Steve, another fugitive, Bruno’s gang eventually falls due to Patrick’s betrayal. While under interrogation, Patrick exposes his gang members, leading to their arrest. To shield Annie from legal repercussions, Bruno confesses to all crimes. Despite his attempts to protect the group, the authorities, led by Moreas, refuse leniency and send the entire gang to jail. Inside the prison, Bruno’s determination to escape only intensifies. He cleverly befriends a guard, trading his watch in exchange for items essential to his escape plan.
Through patience and cunning, Bruno prepares for his getaway with the help of his cellmate, Jean-Louis. When Bruno and Jean-Louis finally attempt their escape, only Bruno succeeds, leaving Jean-Louis behind. Before vanishing, Bruno vows to return for him. This promise reveals Bruno’s loyalty and desire to uphold his word, despite the risks involved. Days later, he honors his commitment by returning with Steve to rescue Jean-Louis. Using force and intimidation, they confront the prison guards, enabling Jean-Louis to walk free.
For Bruno, freedom is paramount, and his promise to Jean-Louis becomes a matter of personal integrity. By risking his safety to fulfill his vow, Bruno demonstrates a rare sense of loyalty, hinting at a complex moral compass. This act not only emphasizes the value he places on freedom but also sheds light on his deep-rooted respect for those he considers allies, making his escape both a testament to his cunning and his sense of loyalty.
Why does Annie Leave Bruno?
Annie falls for Bruno’s charm and skill, admiring his ability to pull off daring acts with apparent ease. However, her perspective begins to shift after Bruno’s arrest and the long months of separation that follow. This experience opens Annie’s eyes to the dangers of Bruno’s lifestyle. She realizes that her love for him is not about the thrill or the risk but the precious time they share. Being apart makes her see that Bruno’s life on the run is unsustainable and ultimately threatens his freedom and their relationship.
When Bruno escapes prison and reconnects with Annie, she believes he may finally be ready for a safer life. His willingness to go on a vacation with Steve initially reassures her that he might leave his criminal pursuits behind. However, Annie soon discovers that Bruno has not abandoned his old ways. He remains drawn to a lifestyle that could end in his permanent capture or worse. This realization is devastating for her, as she understands the cycle of risk and loss is bound to continue.
Annie’s decision to leave Bruno is rooted in her love for him and her inability to bear the pain of his likely downfall. She cannot tolerate seeing him spiral toward an inevitable fate from which he may not escape. Leaving is her way of protecting her heart and preserving her peace. Ultimately, Annie chooses a life free from constant worry and heartbreak, knowing that Bruno’s choices will only lead to greater suffering if she stays.
Freedom (Libre, 2024) Movie Ending Explained:
What Happens to Steve?
Steve has been Bruno’s trusted ally through numerous heists and daring escapes, including Bruno’s escape from prison and, later, a running train. Their partnership strengthens Bruno’s reputation as a master thief, admired for his audacious crimes yet seen as non-violent. Steve’s unwavering loyalty and readiness to help Bruno escape even the tightest spots make him essential to Bruno’s success.
However, as their robberies become bolder, the stakes rise. When Bruno stages a daylight heist at a high-profile store, he’s finally caught by Moreas, a police officer committed to capturing him without resorting to violence. Yet, Steve remains loyal and plans another escape for Bruno. Frustrated by Bruno’s repeated escapes, the police ultimately resort to deadly force, shooting him in broad daylight and bringing his life to a sudden, tragic end.
Steve’s death shatters Bruno, who loses not only a partner but a true friend. The betrayal of trust in law enforcement devastates him, as he realizes the system he defies has taken a lethal turn. While in prison, Bruno mourns Steve’s loss deeply, expressing his grief through letters to Annie. His sense of invincibility is replaced by sorrow and frustration. He grapples with the implications of his life choices and the violent consequences for those close to him.
Moreas, the officer who has pursued Bruno with integrity, is saddened by Steve’s killing. He values justice but believes that capturing Bruno should be lawful and nonviolent. Moreas understands that Bruno’s crimes, while serious, never involved bloodshed. The police’s decision to shoot Steve goes against his principles, as there is no justification for such violence. For Moreas, Steve’s death signifies a deeper issue: a corrupt justice system willing to compromise morals to achieve its goals.
Dismayed, Moreas decides to resign, symbolizing his rejection of the police force’s methods. In acknowledging the system’s flaws, he mirrors Bruno’s own disdain for society’s injustices. Moreas’s resignation highlights the ethical conflicts within law enforcement, showing that corruption and politics have tainted even honest efforts to uphold the law. He steps away, feeling he can no longer serve a system that resorts to unnecessary violence.
Steve’s death and Moreas’s resignation reveal the flaws within the justice system that Bruno has always condemned. Bruno’s life of crime is driven by a belief that he is simply reclaiming from the rich what they exploit from the impoverished. Steve’s murder confirms for Bruno that the system he rebels against is, indeed, morally compromised. This tragic end cements Bruno’s cynicism toward justice, portraying the system as one that fails to protect and uphold its ethical standards.
Why does Bruno Sulak Jump from the Window?
Bruno Sulak’s desperation for freedom reaches a peak. He believes his cunning and the corrupted system will allow him to escape once more. He uses every resource at his disposal, even bribing officers with merely cigarettes. However, his unwavering faith in his own abilities and the prison’s corruptibility may become his undoing. A betrayal is spotted, particularly from the jailer, whose suspicious behavior raises doubts about his intentions. This uncertainty creates a tense, high-stakes scenario where Bruno feels increasingly cornered and distrustful, realizing his options are slipping away.
When Bruno hides in a closet to evade capture, his situation quickly deteriorates. Two officers enter the room, and a radio call-in Bruno’s walkie-talkie exposes his location. His instinct to resist only fuels the officers’ aggression. In that moment, he glimpses the night sky through the window, symbolizing the freedom he has yearned for all his life. The sight of the stars rekindles his spirit, reminding him of the life outside that he may never reclaim if he returns to his cell. For Bruno, surrendering now would mean accepting the system’s total control over him, a fate he cannot endure.
The decision to jump is Bruno’s ultimate act of defiance against a system he despises. It embodies both his desperation and his enduring hope for freedom, however slim. Rather than return to confinement, he chooses a risky escape, even if it might lead to his death. The leap becomes a tragic symbol of his unbreakable spirit, highlighting how deeply he values freedom over life itself. Though his jump results in fatal injuries, it reflects his resolve to remain unchained, even in his final moments.
Bruno has likely left a substantial portion of his wealth to Annie, who now spends her days holding his lighter, lost more in quiet reflection than in sorrow. She always knew that this day would come. Now, she simply preserves the memories of her lover, cherishing the fragments of a life once shared.
