Le petit lieutenant
A look at a group of police investigating crime in an inner-city Parisian police station with a particular focus on the head of the unit, recovering alcoholic Caroline, (Nathalie Baye) and the newcomer of petit lieutenant of the title Antoine (Jalil Espert). 
This is a no nonsense realistic police film on the one hand and an exploration of human relationships on the other – in the context of the force. How does a woman fit in, a Moroccan (the excellent Roschdy Zem), a newcomer from the provinces? 
To what extent can the rules be bent? Where is the line between work and leisure? How do you unwind from some of the awful sights you see? These are common fodder for police movies but the difference here is that there are no pat answers, life’s awkward situations arise and just as awkwardly people learn to deal with them. It is a well-shot film, with perhaps the slow initial pace being to its disadvantage. The film reaks authenticity and the director followed a police team around for months before writing it. Apart from the very competent acting of Espert and Zem, the honours belong to Nathalie Baye, a deserving French César winner for this part in which she gives us a portrayal of a contradictory and yet compassionate woman with a long history behind her. All round a good two hours spent in the cinema.
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