Issue 153

Review: 36 Quai des Orfevres

26th February 2007

A punchy, pulsating opening sets the tone for this dramatic story of friendship, honour, betrayal and police corruption. Dubbed 'The French Heat', Quai des Orfevres is given an all too real edge considering director Olivier Marchal's previous career as a policeman, and his brave choice to base the film on actual events that took place throughout the 80s.

Daniel Auteuil delivers a riveting performance as the effective but effortlessly understated Leo, battling for the position of Captain with Klein, a power hungry, corrupt cop played sinisterly and seemingly amorally by Gerard Depardieu. Previously friends, the onscreen friction between the two is compellingly developed throughout the film, finally resulting in a chilling final climax. The film also takes several unexpected twists and turns on the way, creating a thriller with style and substance in equal measure.

Mixing high-octane shootouts and slower tense confrontations with touchingly comic moments of camaraderie, Marchal creates a rhythmically flowing, seldom-static film.

Rating: 4/5

James Hay