Richard Malinowsky, a police officer, is a man that is always there for his friends. Because of being so accommodating, he has to leave his young daughter waiting as he is called by one of those people in need. The girl, Emilie, decides to go out on her bicycle. As the father returns to go out with her, he finds she has been viciously killed in an isolated part of a park.
The police investigation, which Richard is part of, finds a man, Daniel Eckman, that fits the description of the killer. Although the evidence is circumstantial, the jury that tries him decides to send him to jail. Eckman, like many prisoners serving time, attract a following of admirers. Daniel begins corresponding with Christine Carlier, who will be willing to get him free.
At the same time, Daniel Eckman starts writing to Malinowsky. In his letters he tries to redeem himself to the point that the detective himself, grieving for his dead daughter appears to have doubts of having sent an innocent man to pay for a crime he did not commit. When his physician's wife, Claire, discovers what Richard has been doing, behind her back, it proves too much for her to endure. She walks out on him.
As a new trial is ordered based on Malinowsky's and Christine's good faith, Daniel Eckman is able to walk out of prison after only serving three years of his long sentence. What is more, he will received money for having been wrongly accused. Daniel plans to go away with Christine, but there is something when they finally meet, that makes her a bit uncomfortable. During his own private investigation, Richard Malinowsky gets some key information that will help him solve the puzzle and he is able to avenge Emilie's death.
A fine film directed by Franck Mancuso who adapted a short story by Lawrence Block. The result is a credible 'policier' that never cease to get the viewer's attention. Add to that the excellent appearance by Jean Dujardin, an actor that is getting praise for his role in "The Artist", and you get a winning combination. The story moves at a good pace as Mr. Mancuso moves from one incident to the next.
There are some heavy hitters in the large supporting cast. Jean-Pierre Cassel, Laurent Lucas who makes an impression with his Eckman, Aurelie Recoing, Agnes Blanchot, and Caroline Santini contribute to the enjoyment of the film.
The police investigation, which Richard is part of, finds a man, Daniel Eckman, that fits the description of the killer. Although the evidence is circumstantial, the jury that tries him decides to send him to jail. Eckman, like many prisoners serving time, attract a following of admirers. Daniel begins corresponding with Christine Carlier, who will be willing to get him free.
At the same time, Daniel Eckman starts writing to Malinowsky. In his letters he tries to redeem himself to the point that the detective himself, grieving for his dead daughter appears to have doubts of having sent an innocent man to pay for a crime he did not commit. When his physician's wife, Claire, discovers what Richard has been doing, behind her back, it proves too much for her to endure. She walks out on him.
As a new trial is ordered based on Malinowsky's and Christine's good faith, Daniel Eckman is able to walk out of prison after only serving three years of his long sentence. What is more, he will received money for having been wrongly accused. Daniel plans to go away with Christine, but there is something when they finally meet, that makes her a bit uncomfortable. During his own private investigation, Richard Malinowsky gets some key information that will help him solve the puzzle and he is able to avenge Emilie's death.
A fine film directed by Franck Mancuso who adapted a short story by Lawrence Block. The result is a credible 'policier' that never cease to get the viewer's attention. Add to that the excellent appearance by Jean Dujardin, an actor that is getting praise for his role in "The Artist", and you get a winning combination. The story moves at a good pace as Mr. Mancuso moves from one incident to the next.
There are some heavy hitters in the large supporting cast. Jean-Pierre Cassel, Laurent Lucas who makes an impression with his Eckman, Aurelie Recoing, Agnes Blanchot, and Caroline Santini contribute to the enjoyment of the film.