THE TAKEDOWN

France, 2022, 121 minutes, Colour.

Omar Sy, Laurent Lafitte, Izia Higeliin.

Directed by Louis Leterrier.

This is a star vehicle for French celebrity, Omar Sy. He came to quite some prominence in the touching film, the Intouchables, the carer of a cantankerous invalid. Sy has made many films in France but also internationally including part of the X men series.

This is a police thriller, a sequel to the 2019, The Other Side of the Tracks. And he is paired with veteran French actor, Laurent Lafitte. And it is directed by Louis Letterier, director of many action shows and the television series Lupin.

Sy is a cheerful screen presence, showing his abilities in overcoming a multi-martial arts opponent and getting the crowd on side. And, of course, he is a black presence, contrasting with Lafitte who becomes more and more conscious of his whiteness in situations, the film making a lot of point about race relationships.

Basically, this is a police investigation thriller, the finding of a dead body, an encounter with Alice in the Alps town that they investigate, opening up a whole drug dealing and drug making syndicate.

Plenty of scenery. Plenty of car chases and smashes. Plenty of fighting. Plenty of banter between the two cops. More or less what is expected.

1. Thriller-comedy? Comedy? French style?
2. The Paris settings, police action, wrestling, offices and precincts, police promotion? François and the therapist? The country settings, the town, the countryside, accommodation, rallies? The buildup to the finale, the building, explosions? The musical score?
3. The setting, was main and his associate, the corridors, the wrestling, searching for the criminal, the confrontation in the ring, the fight, the calling of the police? Was main and his background, his son and girlfriend? The discussions with the head, the animated version of his heroism, promotion, the photographer following him around, his resistance?
4. François, rich background, defying his father, failing the exam is, full of himself, disliked by his associates, the episode with the therapist and the consequences?
5. The discovery of the body, half the body, the discovery of the other half? Issues of jurisdiction? The two working together?
6. The familiar stories of odd couple partners? The contrast between the two, the African background and subject of racism? The comfortable white wealthy man? The interactions throughout the film, banter, criticisms? Rivalries?
7. Was main, his skills, yet also dithering, his inhibitions concerning sexuality, dealing with women, the victim’s naked body, sharing the room with François? The interactions with Alice?
8. The murder investigation, the examination of the body, the recreation of the scenes, Kevin on the bike, shot, over the rail, the training, cut in half? The visit to his mother and her tantrum is? The various leads, the Snitch, chasing him, the Dodge cars in the supermarket? The girl at the club, the man at the bar, drugs, the fight, his death?
9. Travelling to the town, the mayor, the extreme right, fascism in France, the martial arts club, the leader? The chief of police, in league with the mayor?
10. Alice, collaborating with the two? The revelation that she was in league with the mayor?
11. The solution to the case, the rally, confiscating the ammunition and destroying it, François and the confrontation, the gun, the explosive, people turning on him? Was main and the vehicles, the chase? Handcuffing Alice, her escape? Driving the mayor?
12. The comedy dramatics of the chase, the mayor and his plan to blow up the building, the evacuation, the two falling, added, safe?
13. Solution of the case, François and his being the face of the police, was main accepting this? Further adventures?
14. The comedy tone – but the indications of serious themes of racism and fascism in France?