The Cousin (1997)

The Cousin Poster
Original Title: Le Cousin

Nounours is the nickname of a "cousin" an informer with a special arrangement with the police: he gets 10% of the drugs seized thanks to his help. When his personal contact, inspector Maurin, commits suicide, inspector Gérard Delvaux takes over. Meanwhile, judge Lambert is uncovering the illegal practices of the policemen. Her persistent investigations, which had cornered Maurin, are leading to Gérard, and also to Nounours as the source of heroin that led to recent cases of deadly overdoses. Nounours promises Gérard increasingly bigger catches which he is intent on realising before he is forced to reveal who Nounours is to judge Lambert.

Overview
"The Cousin" is a compelling crime-drama movie launched in 1997, helmed by well-known director Joel Schumacher. Its skilled cast functions Alain Chabat and Patrick Timsit playing the title roles. The setting, character strength, and thoroughly crafted thriller of "The Cousin" give it an unique blend of realism and excitement. The movie focuses on the complex relationship between two cousins and their involvement in the dark world of the mafia and drug trafficking.

Plot Summary
The twisting plot of "The Cousin" is fixated 2 cousins, Nounours (Alain Chabat) and Gerard (Patrick Timsit). Nounours is the reputable, hard-nosed police officer who patrols the underbelly of the French underworld. Conversely, Gerard functions as an unassuming furniture dealer, supplying a plain contrast to his cousin's life. Their relationship forms the foundation of the film, typically varying from love, trust, betrayal, and suspicion.

The story takes an intense turn when Gerard gets knotted in a trap laid by Mafioso Tony Zucca (Dominic Gould). He is incorrectly implicated of drug trafficking and deals with traumatic consequences. On the other hand, Nounours, who is likewise Tony's buddy, is torn in between expert responsibility and individual commitment. He had previously safeguarded Gerard from Tony, now, he discovers it challenging to encourage his buddy of Gerard's innocence.

Significant Themes
The film wisely depicts the themes of regret, responsibility, conflicts of interest, and responsibility. Nounour's struggle between his responsibility as a policeman and his household commitment towards his cousin, Gerard, additional works as one of the main themes of the film. The predicament Nounours deals with in maintaining this balance in between duty and family commitment is effectively depicted with engaging, suspenseful components.

Performances
Alain Chabat shines as Nounours, demonstrating a special mix of discipline, guilt, and loyalty with a strong screen existence. Patrick Timsit, as Gerard, uses a similarly good efficiency, unlocking numerous shades of his character - from innocence to desperation and anxiety. The supporting artists, significantly Agathe de La Boulaye as Chrystelle and Laurent Bateau as Simon, have also contributed to the overall strength of the narrative.

Important Response
"The Cousin" was favored worldwide, specifically for its thrilling plot, magnetic efficiencies, and incredible representation of human disputes and relationships. Critics applauded the elaborately designed characters, engaging script, and the director's focus on preserving a fine blend of suspense and drama.

In conclusion, "The Cousin" is an exhilarating crime-drama that wonderfully captures the battles of its main characters as they browse through the extreme realities of their lives in the middle of love, loyalty, regret, and vengeance. It is not just the movie's plot that mesmerizes, but likewise its exploration of the deep-seated moral conflicts within its characters that make it a compelling watch.

Top Cast

  • Patrick Timsit (small)
    Patrick Timsit
    Nounours
  • Alain Chabat (small)
    Alain Chabat
    Gérard Delvaux
  • Samuel Le Bihan (small)
    Samuel Le Bihan
    Francis
  • Caroline Proust
    Fanny
  • Mehdi El Glaoui (small)
    Mehdi El Glaoui
    Jeannot
  • Christophe Peyroux (small)
    Christophe Peyroux
    Michel
  • Marie Trintignant (small)
    Marie Trintignant
    Juge Lambert
  • Agnès Jaoui (small)
    Agnès Jaoui
    Claudine Delvaux
  • Béatrice Michel (small)
    Béatrice Michel
    Femme couple Ebony Club