
A Gang Story
Seen it?2011 | 102 min | Crime, Drama
Why it’s a Weeknight Watch
With almost no lasting buzz and middling reviews (50% on Rotten Tomatoes), it's a mixed bag. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved The Public Enemy or The Asphalt Jungle, start here.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 42 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in French, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
After growing up in a poor gypsy camp, Edmond Vidal, aka Momon, has retained a sense of family, unfailing loyalty and pride in his origins. Most of all, he has remained friends with Serge Suttel, with whom he first discovered prison life - for stealing cherries. The two of them inevitably got involved in organized crime. The team they formed, the Ganf Des Lyonnais, made them the most notorious armed robbers of the early 1970s. Their irresistible rise ended in 1974 with a spectacular arrest. Today, as he nears 60, Momon would like to forget that part of his life. He has found peace by retiring from the "business". He tends to his wife Janou, who suffered so in the past, and to his children and grandchildren, all of whom have great respect for this man of simple and universal values, so clear-headed and full of kindness. But then Serge Suttel, who has disowned nothing of his past, comes back into the picture.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
50% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Reach & staying powerBelow par
Streaming release that reached a modest audience
- Buzz & cultural impactWeak
About 6K people sought it out in the past year, and interest is climbing
Trailer
More like this
The Public EnemySaturday SpecialAnother mob crime drama.
The Asphalt JungleFriday Night FlickAnother critically acclaimed crime drama.
Road to PerditionSaturday SpecialAnother mob crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
The OutsidersWeeknight WatchAnother crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Black RainSunday Safe BetAnother mob drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Olivier Marchal
- Gérard LanvinEdmond 'Momon' Vidal
- Tchéky KaryoSerge Suttel
- Daniel DuvalChristo Avetisian
- Dimitri StorogeMomon Vidal young
- Patrick CatalifoCommissioner Max Brauner
- François LevantalJoan Chavez
- Francis RenaudBrandon
- Lionnel AstierDany Devedjian
- Valéria CavalliJanou Vidal
- Estelle SkornikLilou Suttel