36 is a Shakespearean cop thriller.  It chronicles the ruthless competition between two lieutenants in the French police.   Vrinks is the head of the Mob squad where Klein is the head of Homicide.   They are told whomever stops a gang of dangerous armed robbers will be the next
                                    Chief of Police.   One of them falls while the other will rise.   
                                     
                                    36 is the second film from a former French
                                    cop.   It is partially autobiographical as the director pulls from his own
                                    experiences and current events in the French police.    It is interesting
                                    to see how the cops are so different where they become more alike as the film goes on.  
                                    Klein wants power and it is fueled by his own arrogance (and his lust for power) while Vrinks has methods that wouldn't
                                    fit in today's police environment.   People despise Klein as the mob Squad
                                    loves Vrinks.      It is a gripping drama that ultimately
                                    is about Vrinks journey as a character.
                                     
                                    SPECIAL FEATURES:
                                    THE REAL 36 is mostly a behind-the-scenes
                                    between takes of filming 36
                                    The featurettes on the Actor's Costume
                                    Tests and The Choice of Weapons are more interesting and delve into the choices the director makes on how he sees the characters
                                    as written in his script.  
                                     
                                    Also included are the theatrical trailer
                                    and teaser for 36 in addition to trailers for other Tartan releases.
                                     
                                    FINAL ANALYSIS:   36 is a solid tragic cop drama that reminds me a little of Shakespeare in it's broad strokes.   I wish an audio commentary was included for this film.
                                     
                                    this DVD review is (c)8-16-2011 David
                                    Blackwell and cannot be reprinted without permission.  send all comments to feedback@enterline-media.com