Paris Police 1900

Positive it has a golden story. A beautiful cinematography and scenario, a substantial budget for a French production.

Alas, sometimes it has a wobbly plot although it doesn't get in the way overall. A good casting except the one who plays inspector Jouin who is really below the others and limits the series! Jérémie Laheurte isn't a bad actor at all - average at the best - yet he hasnt enough talent and acting skills to lead a big budget TV show like this one. Looking at its sucessuful British counterpart, Peaky Blinders or its American cousin, Boardwalk Empire. It takes a heavy actor level for carry a such a promising series.

The French producers could've hired some top francophone thespian like Matthias Schoenaerts or Gaspard Ulliel as the leading role actor.

Or others less known outside France like Pierre Niney, Niels Schneider or François Civil, they'd have more dramatic resources and screen presence to lead the show than Laheurte. Missed oportunity.

Pardon!

Extremely well documented. It's tough. It's rough. It's raw.it's not for sensible soul. It shows deepest and terrible human behaviors and acts including political strategy. I love when French are able to do such amazing series!!

This is as much a historical documentary as peaky blinders or pennyworth. Except for the opening sequence, which is factually accurate.

By the end of the first episode, one wonders where the series is going. The authors appear to procrastinate: is it a romantic comedy, a drama, a police procedural, or a political thriller? The story lacks focus, and about 25% of the scenes appear to add no value - except for the odd atmospheric shots. The characters appear to be card-board cut-out tropes of goodies and baddies, complete with corrupt chauvinist cops.

The acting is average, at best, and I found myself yawning and looking at another screen quite a few times.

Production values are mostly good; except for any outdoors locations which are very limited. I enjoyed the lighting and camera work, but that is not sufficient to sustain interest throughout.

Watchable if you have low expectations, or if there is little else on.

6/10.

A stunning historical crime drama - set in early 1900s Paris which mixes the meta-narratives of political turmoil, populist anti-semitism, police corruption, misogyny and murder against an ensemble of engaging, nuanced characters and some stunning set design and cinematography. A drama that doesn't shy away from the very seedy-side of turn of the century life, but which also captures the incredible technological and social change that was occurring at this time. The two lead police characters are of course the ultimate oil and water mix (hence the LA Confidential vibes) and the show also features strong female leads as well. A thoroughly binge-worthy drama that gets better with each episode. Tuning into season 2 now!

Wonderful production values in this immersive crime and politics serial set in la belle epoque Paris. Scene after scene is perfectly conceived and performed. Gruesome violence and antiSemitic bile are just about contained in this gothic universe. Unfortunately there are just too many characters, whose motivations are lost in the misty streets, secret dealings, mad passions and cunning plans at hand. Ultimately we are excluded because it is hard to know or care what is going on. We are just left to wonder how such ugliness seems so beautiful.