36 Quai des Orfèvres (2004)

Director:

Olivier Marchal

Writers:

Olivier Marchal (original scenario) and
Franck Mancuso (original scenario) ...

Release Date:

24 November 2004 (France)

Genre:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

In the underbelly of the Parisian criminal world, the Police are frustrated by a gang committing a series of violent robberies...

Plot Keywords:

Police | Gang | Nightclub | Slow Motion Scene | Headless Corpse

Awards:

9 nominations

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Daniel Auteuil	...	Léo Vrinks
Gérard Depardieu	...	Denis Klein
André Dussollier	...	Robert Mancini
Roschdy Zem	...	Hugo Silien
Valeria Golino	...	Camille Vrinks (as Valéria Golino)
Daniel Duval	...	Eddy Valence
Francis Renaud	...	Titi Brasseur
Catherine Marchal	...	Ève Verhagen
Guy Lecluyse	...	Groluc
Alain Figlarz	...	Francis Horn
Vincent Moscato	...	Jenner
Anne Consigny	...	Hélène Klein
Stéphane Metzger	...	Smao
Solène Biasch	...	Lola Vrinks (11 ans)
Aurore Auteuil	...	Lola Vrinks (17 ans)

Also Known As:

36 (UK) (USA)
Department 36 (International: English title)

Runtime:

111 min

Country:

France

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Taiwan:R-12 | Argentina:16 | UK:15 | Germany:16 | Finland:K-15 | Sweden:11 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/16 | New Zealand:R16 | South Korea:15 | Czech Republic:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Switzerland:16 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:16 (canton of Vaud) | Australia:MA | Singapore:NC-16

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company:

Gaumont International

Trivia:

Visa d'exploitation en France: #104874.

Movie Connections:

Remade as 36 (2010)

Soundtrack:

Don't Bring Me Down

A Nutshell Review: 36

The opening in 36 has got to be one of the more arresting (pun not intended) starters in a movie I've watched in some time, especially if you're a fan of Euro-electronica, where a catchy tune paces the multiple action happening on screen.

The French police is stumped by a gang of armed robbers whose fast and brutal methods leave no witnesses. Of course the politicians are angry and want immediate results in the capture of these criminals. The stakes are raised when a vacant seat in higher office is opened to the officer who manages to do so.

Leo Vrinks is a decorated cop with questionable methods. Toeing the line that separates cops from thugs, his team of officers and himself are tasked to bring these criminals to justice. His rival, Denis Klein, also a celebrated cop, wants the case for himself, but unceremoniously gets his team and himself relegated to a support role in the sting operation.

Naturally, unexpected things happen during the operation because of Denis' callous behaviour, and lives on both sides are lost. But no, the show doesn't end there when the thugs are captured, as the rivalry between the men spill over and provides more than sufficient fuel for the second half of the movie.

I guess it's the same at most offices, where promotion's at stake, the struggles and intense rivalry may get into the way of the greater good in getting the objective achieved. Methods are questioned, where morality and ethics are put into the spotlight - does the end really justify any means necessary? Like memorable HK police thriller Infernal Affairs, it is the powerful relationship between the main characters that this drama explores and excels in, with excellent acting from Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu as the bitter men with ambiguous methods and morales.

It's a relatively tight storyline, and you'll have to pay close attention to the subplots in order to be able to piece together how and why the ending was as presented. Highly recommended stuff.