DIAMENT 13

France/Belgium, 2009, 98 minutes, Colour.
Gerard Depardieu, Olivier Marchal, Asia Argento.
Directed by Gilles Behat.

A tough police and crime thriller filmed in Antwerp.

It's not as if we haven't seen similar stories but this one is quite effective with its tale of an ageing, somewhat disillusioned inspector who is let in on a drugs and cash scam by an old friend on the force.

The film does not have too much time to explain all this before it all gets out of hand with murders, dealers and drugs, corrupt politicians, police loyalties and betrayals, a cache of money and an incriminating diary.

What makes the film more effective than usual is the atmospheric locations and photography and the cast. It is Gerard Depardieu again (at almost 60) as the policeman, Olivier Marchal as his friend and Asia Argento as a young police chief.

The audience has to pay attention to who is good and who is bad and follow some unexpected (and some predictable) plot developments. But it is an effective crime drama.

1.An interesting police drama? Corruption? Drugs? Politics? The twists?

2.European corruption, the networks, criminals and police, government officials? The universal application?

3.The use of the city of Antwerp, the precincts, the bars, ordinary apartments, the port? Realistic? Musical score?

4.The title, the code? For Franck?

5.A grim style, pacy, dramatics, visualising of crime, murder consequences?

6.Mats: Gerard Depardieu, age, appearance, screen presence? Seeing him as a policeman in action? The confrontation on the roof, shooting the criminal? His squad, the partners and his interactions with them? Franck’s girlfriend? Relationship with the bosses?

7.Franck and his life, his reputation, drugs and dealing, the meeting with Mats, offering Mats the deal in the restaurant? The background of his girlfriend? The implications of the politics? The police, the investigation? His murder? The truth? Mats and his investigations? The bag with the money? Giving it to his girlfriend?

8.Mats and the accident, the shooting on the roof, the mayor’s wife and her suing? Shooting and saving her? His being suspended? Police reactions? His being alone, able to investigate with the help of his squad? The files? Calhoune and his past relationship with her? Her authority?

9.Calhoune, age, her ambitions, her role, the investigation – and the revelation that she was corrupt?

10.The politicians, the sleazy background? The meeting and Mats listening to the politicians discuss?

11.The truth, the expose, the violence, the confrontation on the wharves with Calhoune?

12.Franck’s girlfriend, her diligence in work with Mats? His giving her the money?

13.Familiar material, always timely, well crafted?