The Code (2002)
"La mentale" (original title)

Dris is an ex-con, living in the borderline between a decent and a criminal life. He has a regular and simple work and lives a simple life with his wife Lise and loves his family. However, ... See full summary »

Director:

Manuel Boursinhac

Writers:

Bibi Naceri (original idea), Bibi Naceri (scenario and dialogue),

Stars:

Samuel Le Bihan, Samy Naceri, Clotilde Courau

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Samuel Le Bihan	...	Dris
Samy Naceri	...	Yanis
Clotilde Courau	...	Nina
Marie Guillard	...	Lise
Michel Duchaussoy	...	Fèche
Philippe Nahon	...	Simon
Francis Renaud	...	Niglo
Lucien Jean-Baptiste	...	Foued
Bibi Naceri	...	Rouquin
David Saracino	...	Mel
Adrien Saint-Joré	...	José
Frédéric Pellegeay	...	Grib
Jean-Pierre Lazzerini	...	Henry
Stéphane Ferrara	...	Prosper
Thierry Perkins-Lyautey	...	Marco

Storyline

Dris is an ex-con, living in the borderline between a decent and a criminal life. He has a regular and simple work and lives a simple life with his wife Lise and loves his family. However, his childhood friends from his Arab community, including his best friend Yanis, are mobsters and his brother is a small time delinquent. Yanis tries to bring Dris back to his gang, and uses his former lover Nina to seduce him, taking him to expensive places to feel the importance of big money. Dris fights against the temptation, but an event will route him back to Yanis' gang and in a fight between gangs with tragic consequences for the whole community.

---

Plot Keywords:

criminal | ex convict | break in | armed robbery | ski mask | 

---

Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller | Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, language and sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

23 October 2002 (France)

Also Known As:

The Code

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$8,704 (USA) (13 February 2004)

Gross:

$12,842 (USA) (19 March 2004)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Gaumont, Légende Entreprises, TF1 Films Production

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min 102 min (DVD)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Je te promets"
Written by Jean-Jacques Goldman

User Reviews

A mess it is, but not

because shot a 'beautiful' gangster movie. There is nothing beautiful in this movie: lighting is flat and the composition of the frames are uninteresting at best. It's a mess because the story is totally inconclusive. After watching it on the big screen all that's memorable is a monster shoot out at the end. Sound design is unbearable with all its bigger than life gunshots and door slams. The production tried to make a Hollywood style epic but failed miserably.