L.627

Inspector Lucien Marguet (Didier Bezace) is transferred to another department following a failed police raid. Bored with his assigned pen-pushing duties, he manages to hook up with a new unit specializing in narcotics. Lucien enthusiastically gets to work with his newfound colleagues. However, he soon realizes that it the system and orders from above that complicate his job as much as the behaviour of the drug dealers. Will Lucien’s spark be dimmed or will he go to extreme measures to get the job done?

Bertrand Tavernier’s (respected director of over 30 films) L.627 merits the title of a modern classic. It is a raw and gritty look at the world of drugs that pulls no punches, resulting in wide acclaim and debate upon its release in France. The film is both police thriller and social commentary, which exposes the poor conditions and the lack of resources with which French drug squads had to work (indeed Tavernier decided to make the film following the indifference of politicians when he quizzed them over the issue).

In addition to the drama of the chase or sting, Tavernier illustrates the effort that goes into surveillance and investigation, which are often hampered by budget concerns and the bosses’ pressure for quick arrests over long term cases in order to beef up the stats. As a result, Lucien must face the frustration of rubber-stamping arrests of small-time hoods while the kingpins get off scot-free. For fans of The Wire this will ring bells and the lauded show is a worthy comparison to Tavernier’s insightful police drama.