Rogue City
Ratings: 4.2/5
Duration: 1hr 56 min
Language: French
Genre: Crime, Action, Drama
Director: Olivier Marchal
Writer: Olivier Marchal
Producer: Adrian Politowski, Sidonie Dumas
Music: Erwann Kermorvant
Cinematography: Denis Rouden
Editing: Camille Delprat
Art Direction: Arnaud Putman, Jimena Esteve
Release Date: 30 October, 2020
Streaming On: Netflix
Star Cast: Lannick Gautry, Stanislas Merhar, Kaaris, David Belle, Patrick Catalifo, Jean Reno, Moussa Maaskri, Claudia Cardinale, Catherine Marchal, Francis Renaud, Erika Sainte, Ambre Pietri, Jeanne Bournaud, Barbara Opsomer, Gérard Lanvin, Eriq Ebouaney
Plot:
A loyal cop gets caught in the crosshairs of police corruption and warring gangs in Marseille, France, and takes matters into his own hands.
Review:
Rogue City, also known as ‘Bronx’ explores how the natural rivalry between cops and gangsters leads to some rather devastating outcomes. Directed by Olivier Marchal, it features stellar performances by Lannick Gautry, Stanislas Merhar, Kaaris, Patrick Catalifo, Jean Reno, and Catherine Marchal.
The story unfolds from the perspective of maverick cop Richard Vronski, essayed by the dapper Lannick Gautry. Richard Vronski is a member of the Anti-Gang Brigade, and while he may employ some unconventional methods, he seems to get the results they need. However, the rivalry between the gangs becomes messier and more violent, and with each passing day, the cops have to do their best so that their personal lives do not get intertwined with their dangerous profession. After all, corruption and dishonesty surround them.
The film follows French cops who are caught in between gang warfare in Marseille. With the tension rising and public pressure for the authorities to deliver, each character has their own intention and loyalties to cater to!
It is difficult to judge their loyalties in the first two acts, which makes this even more exciting. Rogue City keeps the audience thinking and anticipating while the action unfolds.
The film has everything in it- police-drama, prison drama, drug syndicate, machine guns, etc. Rogue City reminds of every action-film. The screenplay of the film isn’t as effective however; the cast successfully pull it through. The character arc is limited and doesn’t evolve throughout the course of the film. The film follows basic cinematography too, but the action choreography is pretty impressive.
For Marchal, the focus was tapping into the core idea of raw violence and basic drama. There is little here for you if action doesn’t excite you. The storytelling and the technical treatment are unpretentious and much credit should be given for reinventing such cop-gangster story; which is already brimming full in the market. It surely is worth a watch!
