"Red Lights" is a fairly engrossing thriller, road film and marital drama about a man trying to find out what happened to his missing wife.

The basic set-up here is similar to Antonionni’s "L’Aventura," but "Red Lights" has more of a film noir tone, and it is less concerned with existential questions.

"Red Lights" was based on a novel by George Simenon, who is associated with the mystery genre. Several other notable films were based on Simenon books, including "The Man Who Watched Trains Go By," "Panique," and the excellent "Monsieur Hire."

The film features a strong performance by Carole Bouquet who has one of the most recognizable faces in cinema. Bouqet has come a long way since she was featured as a Bond girl in "For Your Eyes Only" and a love interest for a punk in "Blank Generation." Her acting has improved and she has the appearance of someone who has been through some rough patches in life. This is beneficial in playing the role of a long-suffering wife.

But the star of the film is Jean–Pierre Darroussin. He’s been in over 50 films, but few of them were distributed in America. He shines as Antonine, a caustic but good-hearted drunk that is married to the somber and serious Helene (Carole Bouquet). The couple has been on an infernal vacation and Antonine is perpetually drunk. They constantly bicker on the way to pick up their kids. And though Antonine is aware there are accidents happening all over, this does not prevent him from speeding or stopping off to have periodic drinks. Helene fumes and fears for her life. Eventually, she just ditches him and leaves a note saying that she has taken a train.

On his search for her, Antonine encounters an escaped felon, and the experience will forever change his life. In a way, Antonine admires the felon because he doesn’t have to abide by the rules of society, such as stopping at red lights.

"Red Lights" never matches the dramatic intensity of "Monsieur Hire," but it has more than its share of chills, thrills, and strong dramatic moments. The film is quite suspenseful and it builds to a satisfying and emotionally devastating conclusion.