Above The Law

Above The Law, originally titled "Tueurs", is a gripping 2017 French-Belgian crime thriller directed by François Troukens and Jean-François Hensgens. The film stars Olivier Gourmet, Lubna Azabal, and Kevin Janssens among its compelling ensemble cast. It is a stimulating blend of icy suspense, raw violence, emotional intricacies, and thought-provoking narrative which will keep viewers engaged throughout.

At the film's center is Frank Valken (Olivier Gourmet), a skilled and high-principled robber whose latest job goes south, setting an intricate series of events into motion. The initial setup seems standard fare for a heist-gone-wrong thriller, but the movie quickly opens up to tackle sprawling themes and complex narrative layers that expand our perception of Valken and the criminal underworld he inhabits.

Olivier Gourmet delivers an intense performance as Valken, brilliantly embodying a man enmeshed in a perilous darkness yet hopeful for a chance at redemption. His portrayal is loaded with a spectrum of emotional and psychological insights that breathe life into the character. Supporting Gourmet, Lubna Azabal and Kevin Janssens pitch in with their brilliant performances, adding interesting dimensions to the film.

Azabal plays Daniela, a passionate investigative journalist, while Janssens takes on the role of a tough cop. As their paths cross with Valken’s, there emerges a narrative rich with intertwined destinies and suspense. The chemistry and interplay between these characters create an engaging dynamic that drives the film's storyline.

The plot thickens further as a web of conspiracy and corruption starts to unravel, revealing a deep-seated sickness within society's institutions. This provides an intense backdrop for the manhunt, car chases, and a nail-biting series of escalating confrontations that pair classic heist genre elements with an undercurrent of social commentary.

Above The Law scores solid marks for its immersive cinematography and seamless editing, taking viewers on a thrilling journey through gritty locations teeming with tension. Its visual storytelling is impressive, with an array of sweeping shots and tight close-ups that enhance the emotional intensity of the story. The gritty aesthetics, combined with the atmospheric score, effectively evoke the bleak realities and moral ambiguities of the underworld, turning the city into an integral part of the narrative fabric.

In terms of storytelling, the film draws heavy inspiration from true events. The screenwriters use these real-world incidents as a springboard to dive into a world of crime, drawing a grim picture of a society grappling with corruption and crime. These elements of real-world authenticity add an additional layer of intrigue to the plot, grounding the film's more sensational elements in realistic and relatable stakes.

Above The Law paints a visceral portrait of the complexity and high-stakes nature of criminal life. Constant tension permeates the film, driven by well-timed action sequences and dramatic reveals. While heart-throbbing heist sequences make for gripping viewing, the film also explores the dramatic consequences of the choices made by its characters, offering a balanced blend of action and drama.

Further, the film excels in its fully realized characterization, skilfully sketching out multi-dimensional characters. Each character in Above The Law is painted in gray tones, with their flaws and strengths skillfully balanced to reveal authentic human beings caught in extreme circumstances.

Overall, Above The Law is not merely an adrenaline-fueled crime thriller, but rather a carefully-crafted character study set within a world of high-stakes crime. With its intriguing crime narrative, dynamic character portrayals, and a thought-provoking exploration of moral ambiguities, it offers an emotional depth often found lacking in conventional heist films. For fans of crime thrillers with a level of narrative complexity and character development, Above The Law presents an engaging viewing option. It's a potent mix of tension, action, and dramatic depth, played out with veritable panache by a stellar cast.