La Crime

A typical product of the French crime films school of the 80s and probably the best film by director Philippe Labro. It begins with a spectacular murder of a well-known lawyer in the justice palace, committed by two criminals in police uniforms, and introduces Commissioner Griffon, brilliantly played by leading French character actor Claude Brasseur, who gets entangled with the charming journalist embodied by Gabrielle Lazure. French crime films of that era heavily criticized corruption in high government circles and the unethical practices of a corrupt police force. All of this is present in Labro's film, which can rely on a strong script and the typical poetics of French crime films, where a tough, solitary protagonist is forced to fight against incomparably stronger evil. Overall impression: 80%. Alongside Brasseur, notable actor Jean-Louis Trintignant played the interesting tragic role of a French minister who becomes a collateral victim of the conspiracy. A strong cast, interesting characters, tension, and good camera work. (10/07/2008)