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When a film is set in Paris, it often takes viewers through the romantic city streets—offering plenty of views of the shops and the artwork and the famous landmarks. But the French crime drama Les Misérables offers a look at a very different kind of life in the City of Lights.
Les Misérables patrols the streets of Paris with Ruiz (Damien Bonnard), a police officer who’s followed his ex-wife to Paris, so he can be close to his young son. He’s assigned to the Anti-Crime Brigade in the low-income community where Victor Hugo wrote his famous novel, Les Misérables. Riding with a couple of veteran cops, Ruiz is introduced to the leaders of the community. But when the owner of a circus accuses a young boy of stealing a lion cub, the relative peace on the streets is shattered, and violence erupts.
It may borrow its title from the novel that made the community famous, but you won’t find Jean Valjean singing about crime and redemption in this modern-day drama. Instead, you’ll find that the community is still caught in a tangle of complicated relationships. You’ll find the Muslim brothers who try to guide the young boys in the right direction. You’ll find the crime boss who controls so much in the community that he’s known as “The Mayor” (Steve Tientcheu). And, of course, you’ll find the cops—the men who know the community and its residents. They know where to find the troublemaking kids, and they know how to play the game.
Ruiz quickly learns that the men he’s riding with aren’t exactly the by-the-book kind of cops. In fact, Chris (Alexis Manenti) seems to be every bit as connected and unscrupulous as The Mayor. He’s more concerned about himself, his ego, and his standing than the people in the community. And he welcomes his new colleague with insults and cruel jokes.
This is a story of interactions, of decisions, of gray areas. It’s a difficult and challenging film, and its conclusion is just as complicated as every other scene. On the surface, it follows a day in the lives of these police officers—but if you pay attention to the characters, their actions, and their relationships, it has a lot more to say.
Les Misérables is a striking film with a captivating story. It definitely isn’t the typical big-budget Hollywood crime drama, but it’s sure to leave you with plenty to ponder after it ends.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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