L.627

REVIEW
A gritty, semidocumentary-like look at the day-to-day lives of undercover narcotic agents in a Paris most tourists will never see, L.627 is a disturbing, overlong and possibly racist examination which despite its flaws still manages to be compelling. Capably directed by Tavernier, the film centers on a rogue cop named Lulu (Bezace), who has been transferred to an overworked precinct. Unlike American films of this sort, there are no shootouts, car chases or gratuitous violence. The story's power is accumulative in the relationship of the officers and Lulu's personal and professional life. However, it is difficult to determine if the film panders to racial stereotypes as all of the dealers tracked by Lulu and his associates are either black or Arab -- which is defended by Tavernier as what he saw when accompanying real police officers on assignment. (French with English subtitles)