By William Wolf

THE CONNECTION  Send This Review to a Friend

Now in commercial release, directed by Cédric Jimenez and previously showcased at the 2015 Rendez-Vous with French Cinema series, “The Connection” (“La French”), stems from the same criminal operation that gave rise to “The French Connection” of William Friedkin.

This time the action is primarily in Marseilles and environs. Jean Dujardin (“The Artist”) is excellent as Pierre Michel, a Marseilles magistrate who is hell-bent on breaking the mob, especially the drug-dealing power, Gaetanp Zampa, portrayed by Gille Lellouche.

This is a dangerous operation, and corruption among the authorities abounds. Dujardin is a handsome, charismatic actor, and when exposed down to the waist, his muscular upper body gets a good display. Michel is married and a father, but his home life is strained by his obsessive dedication to his mission.

“The Connection” is action-packed, with convincing cast members and plenty of well-photographed sequences. But I found one serious credibility issue. Would Michel, given his tangle with vicious mobsters, ride his motorcycle alone along the route to his home?

The film sometimes seems artificially extended, but given the scenery, the attractive performance by Dujardin and the battle against corruption, “The Connection” has sufficient heft to steadily hold one’s interest. A Drafthouse Films release. Reviewed May 15, 2015.

  

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