Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		5.0
Audio		5.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		4.0

Les Lyonnais Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov April 25, 2012

Nominated for Cesar Award for Most Promising Actor, Olivier Marchal's "Les Lyonnais" a.k.a "A Gang Story" (2011) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont. The supplemental features on the disc include the film's original French theatrical trailer and a gallery of deleted and extended scenes. In French, with optional English and French SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-Free.

The gang

Director Olivier Marchal’s latest film, Les Lyonnais, tells the story of two men. The first, Edmond Vidal a.k.a Momon (Gerard Lanvin, Le fils à Jo, Le héros de la famille), is a retired gangster who has just married his only son. Momon has been smart with his money and is now enjoying a peaceful life. The second man, Serge Suttel (Tchéky Karyo, Nikita, Dobermann), is Momon’s best friend, but the two have not seen each other in years.

On the day of his son’s wedding Momon is informed that Serge, who has been on the run and living under a false identity, has finally been arrested by the French police. There is no doubt that he is going to be convicted for his crimes and sent to prison – which means certain death, because unlike Momon he has not been smart and made a lot of powerful enemies. Momon vows to help Serge escape.

But there is a problem - Momon and his best men are now in their late '50s, with wives and kids, running legal businesses. Also, the cops are now smarter, better organized, and better equipped to handle guys like Momon and his men.

With time running out, Momon comes up with a brilliant plan that allows a couple of younger guys working for one of his partners to free Serge. During the operation no one is hurt. Serge thanks his old friend and promises to disappear again as soon as he gets a new passport, credit cards, and a plane ticket.

In the days that follow, Momon is questioned by a police detective determined to get him behind bars if he does not tell him where Serge is hiding. A local drug lord looking for Serge also threatens Momon.

Structurally and stylistically Les Lyonnais reminds about Jean-François Richet’s Mesrine - the past and present constantly overlap while the drama never evolves into melodrama. The narrative, however, is not as complicated as that of Richet’s film, where various dates and names are repeatedly quoted.

Like Mesrine, Les Lyonnais was also inspired by a true story – that of retired gangster Edmond Vidal, who was one of the key figures in the notorious Le gang des Lyonnais. During the '60s and '70s, Vidal, Suttel, and the rest of their friends orchestrated some of the biggest heists in their country’s history and clashed with numerous competitors who challenged them. At one point, Le gang des Lyonnais became so big that they were approached by powerful right-wing groups affiliated with certain political parties.

Director Marchal balances style and substance very well. There is plenty of action in the film but absolutely no showing off. The atmosphere is gritty and plenty of men die, but typically there is a very good reason why. The dialog is also free of macho lines.

Lanvin is clearly the star of the film, looking slightly jaded but almost always demanding respect from those around him. Karyo is also terrific. Dimitri Storoge and Olivier Chantreau, who play the young Vidal and Suttel, respectively, look great in the flashbacks as well.

Les Lyonnais was lensed by cinematographer Denis Rouden, who also collaborated with director Marchal on his 36 Quai des Orfèvres and the made for TV Braquo.

Note: Earlier this year, Les Lyonnais was nominated for Cesar Award for Most Promising Actor (Dimitri Storoge).

Les Lyonnais Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Olivier Marchal's Les Lyonnais arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of French distributors Gaumont.

Olivier Marchal's latest film looks beautiful on Blu-ray. Detail is truly immaculate, even when the camera follows closely the gangsters during the intense shootouts, while clarity is very pleasing. Contrast and colors fluctuate as the action jumps from the '60s, '70s and '80s and then to the present, but it is clear that these are stylistic changes meant to enhance the atmosphere (light blues, browns, and grays are prevalent during the flashbacks). Furthermore, there are absolutely no traces of problematic post-production corrections. The film is naturally crisp and vibrant, never looking artificially sharpened or contrast boosted. Compression is also very good. Finally, blown through a digital projector the film remains stable and tight around edges. All in all, this is yet another very strong Blu-ray release from Gaumont that should please fans of director Oliver Marchal's work. (Note: This is a Region-Free Blu-ray release. Therefore, you will be able to play it on your PS3 or SA regardless of your geographical location. For the record, there is no problematic PAL or 1080/50i content preceding the disc's main menu).

Les Lyonnais Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray disc: French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0. (A French descriptive audio track is included as well). For the record, Gaumont have provided optional English and French SDH subtitles for the main feature. When turned on, they split the image frame and the black bar below it.

Here's a lossless 5.1 audio track that is likely to test the muscles of your audio system - it is very aggressive when it needs to be and boasting a wide range of nuanced dynamics that add plenty of color to the terrific atmosphere. The retro tunes during the flashbacks are also given enough room to breathe. Balance is also excellent, even though the action moves quite fast through the '60, '70s, '80s and the present. The dialog is crisp, clean, stable, and very easy to follow. The English translation is excellent.

Les Lyonnais Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: The supplemental features on this disc are perfectly playable on all North American Blu-ray players, including the PS3.

• Scenes coupees - a gallery of fifteen deleted and extended scenes. In French, not subtitled. (32 min, 1080p).

• Bande-annonce - the original French theatrical trailer for Les Lyonnais. In French, not subtitled. (3 min, 1080p).

Les Lyonnais Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I really enjoyed Les Lyonnais. I think that it comes very close to matching the gritty atmosphere of MR 73. If you like serious contemporary French crime films, and the work of director Olivier Marchal in particular, you shouldn't miss it. Gaumont's presentation of the film is enormously satisfying. Their Blu-ray release is also Region-Free. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.