Paris by Night (2012) User Reviews (12)

Really excellent cop thriller

[Vindelander · 8/10 · 4 May 2021]

The seedy underbelly of Paris by night. No gratuitous violence or extreme language helped make this a stand out film. I'd compare it with Get Carter and Crash. It really is very good - especially the ending.

Great acting by the two leads who really carry the film with the suspenseful plot. Highly recommend this.

a good 90 minutes

[jordan_bel · 6/10 · 8 September 2014]

It's not bad, it's not great. Interesting format, similar to Collateral.

Zem and Forestier are very good, the rest of the cast a bit more random. Gives you a new perspective on the 'monde de la nuit a Paris'...

But the scenario lacks some depth and shooting at night is not easy; Philippe Lefebvre is clearly not Michael Mann even if he directs the actors pretty well.

A good change from Hollywood take on police movies. If you likes this one, check out Olivier Marchal's work, A la petite semaine and Ne le dis a personne, good French stuff!

6/10

Paris Plus

[Richie-67-485852 · 7/10 · 19 February 2016]

Interesting to experience another culture, a different police force and approach, another country and finally the night scene something we all know exists and remains way of life for the many. The underworld comes to mind. The world of shadows and not quite what you would see or support lets say during the day time but it exists none the less. I liked the fact of how respected out of fear the police are in this movie to the point that they don't need a gun to make themselves obeyed but can use a gun to make a point no problem when they have to. At some point, we are introduced to the power and corruption of the human nature that once it starts, not only can it not stop but it craves more and more. This be the case here. A good time well spent watching something different. Recommend finger foods and tasty drink. Enjoy

Night Moves

[dogwater-1 · 10/10 · 8 March 2012]

An excellent and very pure film noir directed by Philippe Lefebvre.A Paris vice cop makes his rounds through the strip clubs, bars, sex clubs, and haunts of those who live by night. Simon Weiss, played by the charismatic Roschdy Zem, knows this world like no one else. He's "dirty", yes, but possessed of a code of order and controls this Nightown as his own personal turf. He's a complicated man and as much a citizen of this "upside down world" as any of its denizens. He knows all and sees all. It all takes place in one night's tour of duty. Simon laments to his driver, "the night seems to drag on." Believe me, this one doesn't. Seen at the Rendez-Vous with French Cinema at Lincoln Center. Should have a great run when released in the U.S.

Best movie in 10 years!

[Patrik_Johansson · 10/10 · 19 May 2013]

This movie makes Collateral and Heat seem like Walt Disney. This is a very well made hard core police thriller with superb actors and very realistic storyline. The scenery of Paris by night with all its weird nightclubs and interesting personalities will keep you glued to the screen. The atmosphere is quite dark, but at times displays good in even the darkest corners of misery. The strength of the movie is the depth of the characters and the diversity. Good guys have flaws and bad guys have feelings too. Not the black or white scale we are too used with in American movies. This is a must see and Im amazed this movie didn't get more attention abroad. This is a sure 10 out of 10 movie. See it!

Paris On Vice

[searchanddestroy-1 · 4 January 2012]

I am amazed by this french film noir, and an authentic one, that reminds me the oldies from the 50's and early sixties, in black and white and with jazzy scores. Paris by night and its fauna, its underworld. The story of a rotten cop, a borderline cop, always on the edge, played by Rochdy Zem who gives here a terrific performance. A rotten cop who has to deal with many people such as the Internal Affairs, gangsters, night club owners, burlesqued disguised men, disgusting people of the Paris night, in order to fulfill his duty. A rotten cop for whom the audience can feel real empathy. A man of honour who keeps his word, who believes in friendship whatever happens, but a cop who can't trust anyone. ANYONE.

Yes folks, this cop character played by Rochdy Zem is outstanding. This actor has never been better. In this film, there is no action sequences or gunfights, but I consider it a a real gem. A sort of french TRAINING DAY.

The cast is interesting too: Richard Bohringer, Gerald Laroche, Jean Pierre Martins - the Marcel Cerdan character of Olivier Dahan's LA MÔME - Samuel le Bihan...

Don't miss it.

Legit

[herringroup · 9/10 · 18 June 2019]

Not a movie for prudes or those in a state of denial. I'm a former Federal LEO in the USA. I've had a Private Investigation firm for over 20 years: this is one of only a handful of films I've ever seen that portrays what it's really like to be an elite level Vice Officer in a big (1,000,000+ population) metropolitan area...and the raw reality of what goes on after-dark in the club-scene. Kudos to the Director. Very well done.

A FLAWLESS terrific true noir, reminiscent of French New Wave

[wd-8 · 9/10 · 22 April 2021]

A FLAWLESS terrific noir, dark and shiny, with a hard-as-nails cop on his rounds one night. Very reminiscent of French New Wave style of the late 1950s and early 1960s. The characters are well-defined and true to life. Both cops and mobsters have depth, with terrific casting and acting, and some moments of spontaneous humour.

A gem, must see.

Fantastic presentation of a Vice cop in Paris

[wdmgq · 10/10 · 13 January 2017]

I don't usually write reviews, but I could not help but notice that there were not many reviews on this movie.... what a shame!

The movie is about as believable as you can experience, what a Vice cop in Paris goes through. Although it is only one night, it shows what the underworld really must be like in the city of Paris at night.

I won't say anymore, but if you can catch this one on Netflix, with the sub titles ( i know, i know.. not many like a movie with subtitles ), but I am sure you will be riveted to your seat as the movie unfolds, and the ending is just as it should be.

Do yourself a favor, and watch it once.... bet you will watch it again and again afterwards.

An unstpable train

[sjanders-86430 · 10/10 · 9 April 2021]

Brilliant night with vice cop, Roschdy Zem. His driver is Sara Forestier. Philippe LeFebvre directed this fast night of Paris club owners and drug dealers. There is a little of everything going on, but the main drive is the opening of a club. When Zem is ready he acts. He knows how to get the information that can control gangsters. He approaches without a gun. "Only a moron would shoot an unarmed cop." He has a different driver every night. One club owner is like a brother to him and is his son's godfather. So Zem gets this man's son out of town quickly. The music is also tops by Olivier Florio.

Loved the move - France is always great in Cinematography

[obchelli · 9/10 · 7 May 2022]

This film is more about dignity of an ordinary man - yes he sins but there would be other one in his place and may be much worse - acting is superb and very believable. His "driver" acts great with nice twist at the end. All characters are executed pretty well. I would love to have such a friend - person you can trust. Driving through Paris through night is a Bonus.

Great movie , Great actor!

[wjmclapham · 10/10 · 20 September 2022]

Well worth watching with a fairly surprise twist at the end! I was blown away by this superb acting by the leading actor, Roschdy Zem. The rest of the cast were superb too!

Basically, it is about one night in Paris, dealing with amazing ranges of characters the corrupted cop have to deal with in various venues. The female cop who drove the car mostly for the cop, witnessing some illegal activities going-ons between the cop, played by Zem and the other corrupted individuals. There you'll see the dark nitty-gritty side of Paris most don't see, which can be quite fascinating to see.

Love the film and I will watch out for other movies played by Roschdy Zem and his cop driver played by the danish-born actress Sara Forestier.