The influence of La Haine is apparent when you take a look at almost every French film dealing with migrants. A somewhat awkward position for me as going against the critical hive mind, I don’t think quite as highly of it as most people. Misérables unfortunately offers nothing new, in the way something like Divines did a few years back.
The story begins on the day of the 2018 Football World Cup Final between France and Croatia. One of the main characters (Issa Percia) cheers France on. There’s a certain irony to this scene as the team was mostly compromised of players of North African origins and this fact was widely reported in the media. It’s a strong start and you hope the film explores the themes laid out in the first scene. Unfortunately, the film then shifts to the point of view of a trio of cops (Damien Bonnard, Alexis Manenti and Djibril Zinga) and the film turns into the usual ‘it’s not the cops’ fault and it’s not the criminal’s fault, it’s a chicken and egg’ situation type of moralising. There are certain amusing subplots like the one involving a lion cub, but as the film approaches it’s end it decides to become some sort of a vigilante film. Indeed, I was reminded of Todd Phillips’ Joker during certain scenes near the end.
This is a film however that has nothing new to say, and at worst might actually make you question the integrity of it’s cop hero. He does after all agree to tamper with a piece of evidence to protect his fellow cops, a piece of evidence that might bring into true light the working of the police. As a positive, I have to say the final confrontation is directed effectively and Percia is excellent in his role. What this is not is any modern retelling of Les Misérables. It just doesn’t have the same spirit of rebellion even it may make a obvious call back to it.
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