(Olivier Marchal / 2006 / France / 35mm / 111 / Cert 15)
Two major figures in contemporary French film, Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu, face off in this tense and engaging cop thriller directed by former police officer Olivier Marchal. Auteuil and Depardieu play Leo Vrinks and Denis Klein, rivals for their boss's job as head of CID, whose partnership is brought to an end by Klein's ruthless ambition. The film's bleak, ambiguous outlook and taut plotting are reminiscent of Film Noir's harsher moments, while the strong performances from its leading men steer it well above the limitations of a straight genre-piece.