Assalto Brutal

A particularly brutal bank robbery takes place in Warsaw. So bad that the planned bank merger in the now democratic Poland of 1995 could be at risk. A long-retired police officer from the former secret police named Tadeusz Gadacz (Olaf LUBASZENKO) is suddenly reactivated. His ultra-brutal methods from his communist past could now be useful again. Gadacz is to support the young inspector Aleksandra Janicka (Wiktoria GORODECKA) in her investigations. It quickly becomes clear that the young Kacper Surmiak (Jedrzej HYCNAR) and his two friends Marek (Stanislaw LINOWSKI) and Bartek (Lukasz SZCZEPANOWSKI) could have something to do with the bloody robbery. But in Poland after the fall of the Berlin Wall, a policeman like Gadacz can no longer torture the truth out of them...

The global streaming provider NETFLIX has added a very exciting crime film by Michel GAZDA to its program. It tells very emphatically about the trials and tribulations of the post-reunification period in the former communist Poland. In terms of structure, it is of course very reminiscent of the Spanish crime classic LA ISLA MINIMA from 2014, but is so haunting, moving and unique that watching this heist movie in the guise of a dark social portrait is definitely worth it! The Polish film industry has repeatedly proven in recent years what great genre stories can be discovered there.

It's a decent crime/thriller filmed in a minimalistic style, focusing on human emotions and expressions rather than on special effects and fast-paced action. If you like that type of movie, it's worthwhile to watch. The acting is excellent, especially the main cop. Tadeusz Gadacz is portrayed as a highly-skilled investigator with a murky past, and the plot weaves in political elements, such as the privatization of large banks, adding layers of tension. This movie truly shines if you are Polish, or maybe you understand Poland's political and social context in the 90s, where the film is set, and subtle jokes or references are made. That's how you'd make most of this movie, I'd say. Then it's 8/10 for sure.

The prologue explains that the movie is partially based on factual events, which show throughout the film.

A bank robbery ends up with casualties and the three robbers are out there as the evidence available isn't enough to pin them. A disgraced investigator is given an opportunity to solve this case while working with a prosecutor and he is one tough cop who goes by the book. On the other hand, the antagonist is the one who wants to stay out of prison no matter what. He is a by the book criminal who brings in the known tricks to escape. The cop has to nab this criminal in 15 days and what transpires in that period, forms the story.

This Polish investigative drama rather than a thriller sticks to it's template. I wouldn't call it a thriller as there is no suspense in who is the culprit and the steps he takes to save himself aren't surprising either. What does work though is the whole set up and the performances. There are no over the top action scenes, the writing does push towards the obvious and the backstory to the villain is not as effective. The serious cop played by Olaf Lubaszenko is the main highlight and he brings in the right amount of intensity in his performance. Two of the confrontational scenes between Olaf Lubaszenko and Jedrzej Hycnar who plays the antagonist were well executed. Overall, Justice is a one time watch at best and offers nothing new. It is the performances that drive the film.

Don't listen to the bad reviews and please give it a chance. Slow burn, good character development and motivation. The acting was very good as well that even through subtitles was able convey the character's emotions. Loved the Nolan-esque score that helps set the serious tone of the film, but of course at a much smaller scale.

Bad reviews have got to be based on the lack of spectacle that everyone sees to expect nowadays. Thanks for that MCU! No CGI, no super cops or boss girls, just a good and solid detective story. I cannot recommend it enough and I really hope more movies like this get put on the streaming platforms.

The performances are nothing short of exceptional. The lead actor delivers a powerhouse performance, embodying the complexities and inner turmoil of a character seeking redemption. The supporting cast also shines, each bringing depth and nuance to their roles, making the film's world feel incredibly real and immersive. The screenplay is sharp and thought-provoking, offering dialogues that resonate and leave a lasting impact.

In conclusion, Justice is a perfect watch, with a blend of entertainment and substance. It is a powerful reminder of the complexities of justice and the importance of standing up for what is right.