Monday Morning Maybe

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Poster for Pépé le Moko

Pépé le Moko

Seen it?

1937 | 94 min | Drama, Crime, Romance

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
A natural pick for book lovers and crime fans. Adapted from a book, so readers can compare notes. A good follow-up to Manhattan or The Bridges of Madison County. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Dark and gritty, warm and romantic.
The pace
Character-first and patient, at 1 hr 34 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1937: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
  • Skip it if you need something light and fast tonight.

Pépé le Moko, one of France's most wanted criminals, hides out in the Casbah section of Algiers. He knows police will be waiting for him if he tries to leave the city. When Pépé meets Gaby, a gorgeous woman from Paris who is lost in the Casbah, he falls for her.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 98 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    Our audience score: 63%

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $156K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 22K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Julien Duvivier

  • Jean GabinPépé le Moko
  • Mireille BalinGaby, the Parisian
  • Gabriel GabrioCarlos
  • Lucas GridouxInspector Slimane
  • Gilbert GilPierrot
  • Line NoroInès, Pépé's mistress
  • Saturnin FabreThe Great Father
  • Fernand CharpinRégis
  • Marcel DalioL'Arbi
  • Charles GranvalMaxime