La French (2014) (aka The Connection) is not a remake of The French Connection
Everyone has heard of the award winning film French Connection (1971) which focuses on drug trafficking in the United States originating from France. While this film is American-focused, little attention was given to the other half of the conflict in France. Likely not called The French Connection for fear of being labelled a remake, La French (2014) (aka The Connection) brings the other half of the story to light.
From the moment the story begins, you can see that this film takes itself seriously, and it takes care to ensure that it keeps that tone throughout. Funnelling drugs though Marseilles is a messy business and everyone involved must be willing to get their hands dirty, even if that means the cops bending or breaking the system or the mafia publicly executing someone - everyone is clear that they mean business. From the development of heroin production and the channels used to the police interrogating criminals and trying to stitch clues together, this films guides you into detail of the lives and conditions of the main players. Traditionally, films like this tend to focus on a loner cop and the luxurious posh life of the gangster. Here, we see how years of this sort of work have affected the family man and his marriage and how the gangster, even though he has luxuries, lives with constant anxiety about the loss of his empire and life. It's a hard life for everyone.
Although it was made 43 years later, albeit taking place at the same time as French Connection 2 (1975), the film's principle success is that it captures the period flawlessly. So much so that, without some of the modern filming techniques and the high-quality cameras, you could fool someone into believing this was a film from 1975. Unlike Hollywood period dramas such as Great Gatsby, Titanic and Man from Uncle where every car, piece of clothing, haircut is immaculate and everything, although fully accurate, looks too clean to be real, Le French looks completely authentic. Clothes, houses, cars, and hair are accurate to a tee, but at times worn, messy, dirty and used. This isn't due to the budget but rather connected to the search for realism. As little has changed visually in the South of France, barring a little wear and tear, over the past 43 years, this has helped the filmmakers find accurate areas in which to film.
Finally, beyond the brilliant acting, serious tone, and exceptional art direction, the film is quintessentially French. In the last many years, films that come to the mainstream from France tend to be comedies where the dialogue needs to be fast and witty or, occasionally independent stories focusing on a personal circumstance. It is rare for a French film that tells the story of French people in a French way to reach global fame. The narrative, plot structure, humour, sex, violence, and ways of being rude are all incredibly authentic. As our main character walks into his new unit, he asks for the officer in charge and is greeted with "who are you"? This is not the way such a scene would play out in an English film. Seeing this film builds certain expectations of what characters are likely to do or say or how a typical story such as this will go. But La French keeps you on your toes, as you are constantly reminded this is not a typical film.
For content and quality, the film deserves the respect of an 8/10. However, because it flawlessly captures not only the period but also the people of the time, it earns itself an extra point. La French is a powerful drama that deserved so much more attention than it received.
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