Watch Le Petit Lieutenant

Le Petit Lieutenant is a French crime drama film from the year 2005 directed by Xavier Beauvois. The movie tells the story of Antoine Derouere, a young Parisian police officer who has just joined the team of the 2nd Judicial District. Antoine is a former army officer who became a policeman to help fight crime in the city of Paris. The film starts by introducing the main characters, including Antoine, his colleagues, and his commander, Caroline Vaudieu, a seasoned cop who has become an icon in the Parisian police department. When a woman's body is found in the river Seine, the team is called to investigate the case. Antoine is immediately drawn to the complexity and intrigue of the case and becomes personally invested in solving it.

As the investigation moves forward, Antoine becomes more and more involved in the case, and his focus on it starts to impact his work as a police officer. The case also puts a strain on his relationship with his girlfriend, who works as a nurse. Meanwhile, Caroline battles with personal demons, including alcoholism and the death of her husband, which threaten to derail her career as a police officer.

The film explores the dynamics between the various characters, including the camaraderie between Antoine and his fellow officers, as well as the tension between them and their commander. The relationships in the movie are complex and nuanced, with many of the characters hiding their true feelings and intentions from each other.

Le Petit Lieutenant also delves into the city of Paris itself, with many scenes set against the backdrop of the city's iconic landmarks. The film captures the atmosphere of the city through its contrasting images of the bustling streets and the quiet river where the body is found.

Throughout the film, the audience is kept on edge as they follow the investigation and try to piece together the clues that will lead to the killer. The cinematography is gritty and realistic, and the film's pacing keeps the tension high, adding to the sense of urgency as the team races to solve the case.

The acting in Le Petit Lieutenant is superb, with Nathalie Baye delivering a masterful performance as the troubled commander Caroline Vaudieu. Jalil Lespert gives a convincing portrayal of Antoine, and Roschdy Zem stands out as the experienced cop, Solo.

Overall, Le Petit Lieutenant is a gripping crime drama that offers a compelling look at the inner workings of the Parisian police department. The film's excellent acting, realistic cinematography, and intricate plot make it a must-see for fans of the crime drama genre.

Le Petit Lieutenant is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 71.