Polisse

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  • Opened May 18, 2012 (Limited)
  • 2 hr 7 min
  • NR
  • Basing her richly textured script on real child investigation cases, co-writer/director/co-star Maïwenn has gathered an accomplished ensemble cast of French actors—including Karin Viard, Marina Foïs, co-writer Emmanuelle Bercot, Nicolas Duvauchelle, and rapper-turned-actor Joeystarr—who convey the emotional strain of the unit's work with gritty realism (the director herself plays the role of a photographer embedded within the unit). They not only deal with the stress of their jobs but with the inevitable fall-out in their personal lives—breakdowns, divorce and adulterous relations within the force. In between, there are frequent flashes of humor as the team attempts to diffuse daily realities. As the cases, confessions and interrogations pile up, the squad members have only each other as support as they face an uphill battle against both criminals and bureaucracy.
    *Note: In French with English subtitles. Full synopsis

  • Cast: Karin Viard, Joey Starr, Marina Fois, Nicolas Duvauchelle, Maïwenn
  • Director: Maïwenn
  • Genres: Art House/Foreign, Drama

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Fans say Go
13 fans
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Critics say Go
74 out of 100
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Fan Reviews

I'll Pass
"NOT A FILM BUFF,? SHE PREFERS ?LA VIE RÉELLE?

by CharlesHaas

Polisse, a new French film about the Child Protection Unit of the French National Police follows a string of child abuse cases, some sexual some not, and sundry matters that the CPU (Brigade de...

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Not for everyone!

by

It's one of those movies that moves so fast, you can't get up to pee. Exciting, fast-paced and deep in character development, but a tad macabre. Thought provoking but at the same time leaves you...

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Critic Reviews

100
Boston Globe
| Wesley Morris

The entire movie is pitched at a scream. But the screaming is more Janis Joplin, Axl Rose, or Mary J. Blige than Jamie Lee Curtis. All the tears I shed were hard-earned. So were all the laughing and clapping and eye-covering. In each case, it was involuntary. Read full review

90
Wall Street Journal
| Joe Morgenstern

What makes it such a singular experience is the convergence of fine acting, moral urgency and a willingness to linger on moments of great intensity. Read full review

88
Philadelphia Inquirer
| Carrie Rickey

The mosaic of cases and caseworkers is like a season of "The Wire" distilled into two hours. Read full review

88
Washington Post
| Michael O'Sullivan

Polisse is hard to watch at times, but it's also hard not to. Read full review

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Photos

A scene from ``Polisse.''