Watch The Connection

The Connection is a French crime thriller directed by Cédric Jimenez and released in 2014. The film takes place in the early 1970s in Marseilles, France, where the heroin trade is booming and a group of ruthless gangsters control the city's drug supply. However, an ambitious magistrate, Pierre Michel (played by Jean Dujardin), is determined to take down the drug empire and bring these criminals to justice.

The film is based on real events and characters, with Pierre Michel being a real-life magistrate who led a major crackdown on the French drug trade in the 1970s. The Connection is a companion piece to the celebrated 1971 French crime film The French Connection, which was set in New York City and dealt with heroin smuggling. The two films share a common subject matter and explore the global reach of the heroin trade, but The Connection has its own distinct voice and style.

The Connection begins with a series of brutal drug deals and murders that establish the power and ruthlessness of the gangsters. Pierre Michel is then introduced as a dedicated and idealistic magistrate who is frustrated by the lack of progress in the fight against drugs. He sees the damage that heroin is doing to the community and is determined to find a way to stop the flow of drugs into the city.

Pierre Michel's investigation leads him to a wealthy drug lord named Gaëtan Zampa (played by Gilles Lellouche), who controls much of the heroin trade in Marseilles. Zampa is a charismatic and dangerous figure who is always one step ahead of the law, and Pierre Michel quickly realizes that he will need to use unconventional tactics to bring Zampa down.

The film builds tension as Pierre Michel and his team conduct surveillance, intercept shipments, and gain intelligence on Zampa's network. However, as they get closer to their target, the stakes get higher and the danger more intense. The Connection features several standout action scenes, including car chases, shootouts, and tense confrontations, all of which are expertly choreographed and executed.

The film is not just a straightforward action flick, though. It also explores the complex social and political realities of the heroin trade, and the toll it takes on the people who are caught up in it. The film shows the ravages of addiction, the violence that accompanies the drug trade, and the toll that the constant pressure and danger take on Pierre Michel and his team.

Jean Dujardin delivers a strong performance as Pierre Michel, conveying both his idealism and his desperation as he fights to rid the city of heroin. Gilles Lellouche is equally impressive as the suave and dangerous Zampa, making him a formidable and memorable villain. The supporting cast is also excellent, with standout performances from Céline Sallette as Michel's wife, and Benoît Magimel as a conflicted police officer who has ties to the drug trade.

The film also features excellent production design and cinematography, creating a vivid and atmospheric portrayal of early 1970s Marseilles. The costumes, hairstyles, and sets all contribute to the film's sense of time and place, and the camerawork is dynamic and engaging. The film's score, by electronic musician Gesaffelstein, adds a pulsing and ominous energy to the proceedings.

Overall, The Connection is a gripping and stylish crime thriller that offers a fresh perspective on the heroin trade and the fight against it. It's a film that combines action, drama, and social commentary in a way that feels both exciting and thought-provoking. It's a must-watch for fans of crime films, French cinema, or anyone looking for an intense and entertaining movie experience.

The Connection is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 13 minutes.