Carbon

This film is based on the 2008-09 carbon-quota scandal that occurred in France, but it's not a white-collar crime film like Wolf of Wall Street or anything of that sort that takes place mostly in offices, banks, courtrooms, etc.

It's more of a street crime film, where the world of street gangs intersects with financial crimes and fraud, along with legitimate businesses, dirty cops and clean ones.

It's an interesting film, but it tackles a subject too big and flies by too fast, making you doubt that some events took place during a week or a month. The sense of time is lost in editing. There's enough material here to make a mini-series (like Les Beaux Mecs, 2011... there are actually a lot of similarities with Les Beaux Mecs) but TV shows are not for everyone.

The production values are high, casting, etc. The only flaw I have with this movie is the editing. There was a scene at the start of the film that should not have been there. The passage of time was also not well shown.

Other than that, I'd give it a 6.5 rounded up to a 7/10.

Set in the Parisian bourgeoisie business community movie shows people crazy to make money and schemes they use, and how in the end greed brings them down.

Filmed in Olivier Marchal's very own style, very dark, very cold, very real.

Very exciting movie from beginning to end.

Totally recommended

Carbone is far the best Marchal's movie since "36 Quai des Orfèvres". The plot is simple but quite efficient. Bargain, betrayal, sex and blood. And a good Gerard Depardieu, as is the rest of the casting. I wish I had more twists and a deeper intrigue. 7/10 is a just rating i think

Hi Folks, I hope you follow me when I say Un-Movie: it is all that Holliwood does not know how to do at this moment in time (And they know a lot, I love their movies, but sometime, they don't push enough, because of the kids they have to show their movies to - money of course) I mean great scenario, great actors, but also no nice feelings, a little like Goodfellas, (but without the movie filter) meaning if reality punches, it does; there is no savior, no crying guy or woman, or child saving the « hero »; it feels real; like you lost your wife, your kid, or your mother...Does that bother you ? Get over it; it is called life, and will never stop; this is just a reminder, not whatever else you are thinking about; this movie will trigger you in a good sense, build you, inspire you (well I hope: I am thinking in terms of well being of the others, not robbing the VAT of europe btw) If you need a hero, don't watch it, if you need a guilty guy, don't watch it, if you need some kind of moral, watch your favorite BS John Wayne movie; if you require the real thing or at least (I am not naive here, I know there is worse) something that comes close, watch it. Olivier Marshall has directed a few movies that come down to one thing at the end: reality in its crust; you like it, or keep playing candy crush, which I am guessing, most of you do!

The first half is very boring, with the long and slow introduction at the beginning, the fraud, however the second half develops with a little more action, comes out of inertia with scenes of violence, aggression and extortion... A good plot Franco-Belgian, interesting and realistic outcome... And with true nuances about the use of Carbon by the two countries and their losses...