91Èȱ¬

Admit it: we live in a world full of mediocre crime thrillers. Still, that means that when a film such as Olivier Marchal's 36 comes along, it's all the more exhilarating. In this near pitch-perfect study of ambition and revenge, two battle-worn alpha policemen - French masters Gérard Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil - go head to head in Paris, to catch a gang of murderous armed robbers. A stellar cast, a great story, and some momentous shoot-outs; what more could you want?

We join our protagonist, Leo Vrinks (Auteuil) as he is called to the bloody scene of another gang raid. Back at HQ - 36 Quai Des Orfèvres - departing Chief Of Police (Andre Dussollier) tells Vrinks he must catch the robbers if he is to become the new head honcho. Either that, or see his wife's former lover, the meticulous and sinister Denis Klein (Depardieu), get the job. The stage is set for a titanic battle of wills. Then Vrinks takes a tip-off from a criminal in return for a dangerous favour.

"PERFECTLY CONSTRUCTED PLOT TWISTS"

There's a heartfelt supporting performance, too, from Valeria Golino, as Vrinks' devoted, troubled wife. But it's the brilliantly drawn opposition between the two lead characters that is really compelling. Depardieu captures perfectly the war raging inside Klein, a man torn between rigid morality and grasping ambition. Auteuil is a model in understatement, his low-key depiction of a cop determined to see justice at all costs is thrilling. As the hunt drags both men deep into the Paris underworld, Vrinks and Klein spiral towards what seems an inevitable mutual destruction. But don't worry; perfectly constructed plot twists will keep you guessing until the end.

In French with English subtitles.