ships that pass in the night

myriamlenys

Good, taut police procedural based on a novel by Joseph Harrington. (I never read anything by this author, which sounds like a lack to remedy.) The translation to French society is done very well, keeping and preserving themes such as the superficiality, transience and anonimity of life in a major city. The human cost of such an urban existence can come very high, as illustrated in a scene where two detectives go to a school in order to ask questions about a pupil. Teachers and staff are kind and dedicated, but point out that many of the children disappear somewhere along the line, as a result of their parents moving, losing their jobs, divorcing,... The result is a state of permanent changeability, where no one succeeds in getting a good grasp on the background, problems and capabilities of the various pupils.

Jobert and Ventura, as the detectives, are in fine shape and give good performances. Unfortunately the first ten minutes of the movie are confusing, mainly because someone somewhere thought it would be a good idea to start the story while showing the initial credits. This was not a good idea. After this confusing beginning, the movie proceeds in a clear and linear fashion, enlivened by occasional thumbnail sketches of urban eccentrics. (Watch out for the seemingly normal and civilized lady who treats her pets like infants, but hates every child and adolescent she sees - they're all grinning apes or hot little sluts.)

At one point in the movie - I'm trying to avoid spoilers here - one of the characters gets involved in a savage street fight. The fight is well-choreographed and well-executed, exuding a realistic violence and viciousness. Strangely, the character thus attacked (and beaten up) is capable of continuing his activities, where logic would dictate an urgent hospitalisation, followed by many months of careful rehabilitation. But then, this is a failure common to many movies : people walk away from accidents and attacks that, by rights, should send them to an emergency ward or an undertaker...

score 8/10

myriamlenys 25 March 2018

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw4103960/