Apaches: Gangues de Paris

The film opens to the viewers with a narration by the films main character, Billie. It then moves onto the young Billie with her brother, Ricky, and little Paulie (who for some reason is called Polly in the credits and by the so called professional critics). For me this/these are the best 15 minutes of the film and portrayed by the wonderful young actress, Chloé Peillex as young Billie. This young lady commanded the screen and you cannot take your eyes off of her eyes that are just amazing; I was memorized by them. In this opening we are given the character introduction with background of young Billie and her brother Ricky but, we do not get one for young Paulie.

Moving on to the main part of the film with a grown up Billie back on the streets of Paris hellbent on revenge. None of the introduced characters are given backgrounds information, just hearsay details from rumours. Jesus, the films main bad guy, was mediocre to almost boring (though the critics are all fawning about the actor who plays the role) and the gang member parts are played well but uninteresting. The film completely lacks what should have been a tightly tense build up to the final (poor ending) moments but, it lacks all the elements that would keep you glued to the screen with anxious interest for the revealing end.

The music used was totally out of place (it was from the 1960's, 60-70 years ahead of the films time. It gets a 5 score from me for the fantastic first 15 minutes acting.

I like this ambitious and also clumsy French film, which the most obvious mistake is to use French scores, soundtracks of the sixties for a 1900's atmosphere, It is totally lousy, I don't understand why doing this. Imagine Matin Scorcese using Lady Gaga songs for a historical film taking place in 1930? But besides this, I don't dislike the movie, epecially the lead female character. I prefered L'EMPEREUR DE PARIS however, for the nearly same settings and overall atmosphere, though not the exactly same period: 1800's for Jean François Richet's film and 1900's for this one. Apaches were the young hoodlums in Paris, suburb ghettos in the early 1900's. The main good thing about this film is that it is not cheesy, but tragic, sad. Not so many features were made about this period, except CASQUE D'OR, back in the fifties, and also a short film: LE REVE DES APACHES, a couple of years ago.

The movie is completely different from typical Hollywood products, which almost always have happy endings. That's not how reality always works. The heroine is the centerpiece of the story, realistic and tragic in her own way, and I enjoyed the acting all the way, especially some almost transcendental scenes. It's easy to immerse oneself in her world, although part of it is left to the viewer and their interpretation and experience. The costumes are great and realistic (at least they look authentic to me), some minor problems with props that are not from that time at all, but since they are not essential to the plot, I noticed and forgot about them in the same moment. The previously mentioned music, not from that era, didn't bother me; somehow it really fit well with the scenes. The only thing that bothers me is that not all characters are fully developed, making it very difficult to understand all aspects of their lives and actions. The film would probably have been much longer (like Once Upon a Time in America, Gangs of New York). But all in all, the film is a bit more than solid; it's not one of those where you'd feel like you've wasted your time.

... Keeper? Or Killer? Well no pun intended (first things first), but let's be honest, you will not be too surprised by most things that happen in the movie. It is sometimes a bit underwhelming I reckon ... but it is nice to see an action (gang) movie from Europe just trying to stay afloat ... the action is overall well done too.

I did not think of this as a Gangs of New York type of movie - but I guess if that helps you enjoy the movie ... go for it. Just be humble and remember the movie is not a high budget affair. So just approach this with the given amount of respect and relaxing attitude. Just saying - enjoy the show and the revenge story too ...seen worse. Music is good.