This is a movie which has generated heated debates in France. Loosely based on a real case of police corruption, it prompted political siding of both critics and viewers, both police union and BLM equivalents. Depending on opinions the movie was either praised for its honest depiction of lawlessness in some urban zones or reviled as a racist caricature of same areas.
The truth is that it probably is both and that the movie doesn't have much to offer in terms of insight on these subjects. This is no "la Haine" or "les misérables". It is a cop movie, very much in the vein of french cop movies of the last 10 years, disenchanted and brutal.
The first 70 minutes are great, fast paced and good storytelling, but in the last 30 minutes when the focus shifts from urban cop work to individual fates, i don't want to spoil, it suddenly loses all rhythm and acting becomes caricatural. It's like the director had gone missing and the second unit director had to finish the movie. It is a pity as there are lots of good things in there.
The truth is that it probably is both and that the movie doesn't have much to offer in terms of insight on these subjects. This is no "la Haine" or "les misérables". It is a cop movie, very much in the vein of french cop movies of the last 10 years, disenchanted and brutal.
The first 70 minutes are great, fast paced and good storytelling, but in the last 30 minutes when the focus shifts from urban cop work to individual fates, i don't want to spoil, it suddenly loses all rhythm and acting becomes caricatural. It's like the director had gone missing and the second unit director had to finish the movie. It is a pity as there are lots of good things in there.