November - I cinque giorni dopo il Bataclan

As Kathryn Bigelow did with ZERO DARK THIRTY, in 2013, about Ossama Ben Laden trackdown and execution after 9/11 events, French movie industry now does the same about 11/13 mass killings in Paris. The same but not entirely though, only the few days following Friday the 13th, "BLACK FRIDAY", whilst the US movie showed the entire Ben Laden affair. It is taut, tense, gripping, shocking during some scenes, and accurate at the most possible. But unlike the American movie, the characters are not depicted more than necessary. We know nothing about them, except maybe the Anaïs Demoustiers one, this young female cop facing pure horror. But for the rest, including Jean Dujardin, we know nothing. It's not important to appreciate this awesome film, but it is good to tell it. The particularity of this feature is also to remain factual, always factual. Neutral. At no moment, the film maker Cedric Jimenez takes part. It is also very important to warn the audiences. Very unusual and maybe many people won't understand this. It is also question to show some of the terrorists but not enough the victims. Is it a good point? I honestly don't know, each of us will appreciate or not.... A damn good film, however. You can not miss it. We can now consider Cedric Gimenez as the French Paul Greengrass.

Caught this just before it disappeared from Netflix. I hadn't planned on watching it, but something about the timing-late at night, a quiet house-made it feel like the right moment. Afterward, I found myself wavering between eight stars and six. The more I sat with it-and read what others had to say, both the praise and the pushback-the more I felt okay settling at seven.

"November" is gripping in the way only real-life horror stories can be. It doesn't waste time-it throws you right into the tension and doesn't let up. The focus stays almost entirely on the police investigation that followed the Paris attacks of November 13, 2015. It's a bold decision, and for a while, I thought it worked. You feel the urgency in every hallway conversation, every frantic phone call. But somewhere along the way, I started feeling distanced. The chaos becomes numbing. The characters blur together. I found myself wishing the film would slow down-not for exposition, but just to give us a glimmer of who these people are-their individual wants and needs.

There's this strange emptiness at the center of the film, and maybe that's intentional. Maybe we're meant to feel the machinery of justice grinding forward, indifferent to individual lives. But I missed the human angles-the victims, the city, the quiet grief. I kept thinking that this story might've worked better as a miniseries. Something longer, something that could have made space for the emotional aftermath as much as the procedural chase.

Still, I'm glad I watched it. It's a respectful, well-made film. But when it ended, I didn't feel closure-I felt questions. Not about the case, but about how we tell stories like this. Who do we center? Who gets left out? Maybe there's no perfect way to film a tragedy this complex. But maybe trying is still worth something.

November is a gripping thriller that provides a poignant look into how French law enforcement responded to the unprecedented 2015 Paris terrorist attacks. The depiction is candid, showing both the brutality and horror resulting from these events and instances of bravery displayed by those involved in responding to them. The movie's foundation consisting of real facts and testimonies results in actors delivering powerful performances throughout its runtime.

Director Cedric Jimenez maintains an engaging atmosphere throughout his work. He kept me invested until the credits rolled while raising important issues surrounding terrorism, security measures, and civil liberties with conviction and balance - an approach we need given the complex world we live in today - without oversimplifying them for audiences seeking concrete answers/solutions during these difficult times.

Be warned: graphic scenes may upset some people; therefore, viewer discretion is advised. One also needs to pay attention due to its fast-paced intricate plot, which demands focus throughout. November isn't exactly what one might call a 'light' film. Clocking in at two hours, November is an intense and often dense experience that may prove too much for some viewers.

November is not a film that caters to those seeking quick fixes or easy answers. Little context or backstory is given, which may leave some confused or unsatisfied. All that said, though, November is a powerful and compelling work that honours both the victims AND heroes of the Paris attacks in 2015 while reflecting on the wider societal implications of such atrocities. The movie offers a realistic portrayal of events without unnecessary dramatisation, making it all the more vibrant. Although some parts may be difficult to watch (i.e., graphic scenes), I recommend checking out November if you're interested in this subject matter.

Despite a decent cast and a few captivating moments in the last part, a return to the 2015 horror that too often lacks embodiment and stays on the surface, with the script lacking any ideas, thematics. Shame. The director was maybe afraid of hurting, of being indecent, of creating controversy with regard to the government perhaps, but the problem is that his film does not bring anything new compared to what we know. Through the medias of the time. What is the real point of describing this hunt for terrorists when we already know the events? Unfortunately, the script sounds pretty hollow. The big film on the subject with its possible implications (economic, political, etc.) remains to be made. Imagine what the Yves Boisset of the 1970s and early 80's could have done with this hot topic...

The director of November, Cédric Jimenez, made a great film here. He managed to take a great angle on the horrific 2015 terrorist attacks that hit France, following the professional and personal struggles of law enforcement officers, highlighting their human side and all that brave citizens can do to make a real difference in helping inspectors. The film has a very good pace and it is quite close to reality. A real pleasure to see Jean Dujardin play such an important role in this very serious, but very entertaining film. Highly recommended for audiences of all ages, nationalities or religions.