Reviews & Ratings for
A Gang Story More at IMDbPro »Les Lyonnais (original title)

23 out of 27 people found the following review useful:
amazing crime thriller, 11 July 2012

Author: Brule Newhall from England

I expected a lot from this film as Lanvin and Karyo are big names in cinema no matter where you live. It surpassed my expectations by miles. The dialog is thought provoking, the plot contains enough twists to keep you hooked, but does so with finesse rather than going over the top. All the actors/actresses are well cast at no point did I feel anyone was in the wrong part or unconvincing. The action was perfectly balanced with the plot, too much would have spoiled it, too little and it wouldn't be much of a crime film. The settings were good, as was the style in which it was filmed. I don't want to describe the story as I think it's so good that it is worth watching with no preconceptions. For me a standout film, one of the best I have seen in a long time and the director should be applauded. Its subtitled but they were flawless and at no point did it occur to me that the lack of English sound was a problem. I would heartily recommend watching.

14 out of 21 people found the following review useful:
Wow, what a great movie!, 3 April 2012

Author: enteredapprenticering from Switzerland

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

The stunning performance of Gérard Lanvin as Momon Vidal makes this a must-see movie. Not a single second passes where the viewers would not be taken right into the story. This movie has it all, but the most remarkable and reminding scene is, when the character Momon Vidal defines male friendship as something "holy". Any man, who sees this movie will go into his own mind and search for his own holy friendships, if these two words actually exist as plural. Looking back on his 50 years of friendship between the characters Momon and Serge, Momon actually finds out, whether his philosophic ideal of a "holy male friendship" actually exists or if it doesn't. Watch the movie and find out what great story Edmond Vidal has given us viewers as a marvelous gift. My vote: 9 out of 10, absolutely worth every second.

5 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
A gang story, 12 December 2012

Author: kosmasp

A french thriller with terrific actors in the main roles. It is quite predictable all along (the main twist is something you should have figured out sooner rather than later), but the actors make it more than enjoyable to watch.

The suspense is still sustained throughout the movie, which has to do with the settings, the framing and the editing of the movie. Good work has been done in those departments. There's some violence in this movie, but it's not relishing in it. The morals might also be something you have trouble with identifying. A more than solid effort that is not only for Euro thriller lovers

1 out of 2 people found the following review useful:
God and Momon, 25 April 2013

Author: writers_reign from London, England

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

For about a reel and a half I thought Olivier Marchal had blown it; this new film wasn't living up to 36 Quai des Orfevres or MR73. Then all at once it blossomed before our eyes and took its rightful place in the Marchal pantheon. This was due in no small measure to Gerard Lanvin who I have yet to see give a bad performance. Lanvin is almost unique among 'macho' actors in that he can convey sadness and toughness at one and the same time. Here he plays a real person, one still very much alive and he does so superbly. Recently acting joke Vincent Cassell was called upon to portray a real character - also a gangster - and was light years short of Lanvin's performance here which is incandescent. If I single out Lanvin it is because he is the only member of the cast who stands an outside chance of being known in the UK - he also does comedy, see: Camping - but Marchal has cast his film well and the entire cast acquit themselves well. See it as soon as you can.

2 out of 5 people found the following review useful:
Must See,, 22 September 2012

Author: samanguiano from United States

Its not your typical mob movie with guns blazing. It takes us back to when gangs had a code of honor and integrity. Loyatly is what kept this gang a close knit family. You actually want the bad guys to win is how good this film is. Brings you in that much. The gang leader has a heart and his friends will give there lives to him with no questions asked rather than see it as a sign of weakness. Every actor seems to fit there part perfect. It has revenge which i love in movies. It also stresses if you mess with his family you will pay the price with your life. I really believe this deserves a higher rating than what it received by far.

13 out of 33 people found the following review useful:
The best french gangster movie of all times., 30 November 2011
Author: GUENOT PHILIPPE (philippe.guenot@dbmail.com) from France

*** This review may contain spoilers ***

Awesome, outstanding, terrific, I can't find more words to describe this masterpiece. Olivier Marschell improves every film he offers us. The quality he puts in each of his films increases more and more. I tasted this film like a glass of hot honey milk. So goood !!!

We find here, at last, the real french HEAT. Yes, folks, for me, it's the best gangster from France ever made; at least since Jean Pierre Melville's times...And it's signed by the man who allowed the french crime movie industry to be born again after a twenty years death, since the early 80's - and Jean Claude Missaien's films - and the early 2000's and the arrival of Olivier Marschall.

Actors such Gerard Lanvin, Tcheky Karyo, Daniel Duval, have really nothing more to prove to anyone. Their performances here are absolutely unforgettable, far beyond you may imagine. You live a storm of emotion, thrills and also action sequences very brutal, not for the sissies. The story about friendship, treason, manhood and honour is heartbreaking to the far inside of yourself. I wept many times during the watching of this film. Everything is made at such a rate as I can hardly realize it. I probably made a dream...This film doesn't exist.

Thanks to Olivier Marschall, who knew how to bring so much fresh air to the french movie industry.

Thanks a billions times, Mr Marschall.

Add another review

Related Links