Go Fast [DVD]

I didn't have much expectations for this film and whilst it is clearly not a cinemamtic work of genius, it is hugely watchable. Certainly, I felt that this was much, much better than some of the reviews I have read here and superior to many French police / crime films which come with a bigger reputation. The plots definately follows the drug smuggling conclusion of the final half of the excellent second series of French TV's "Spiral" but this differs insofar that Roschidy Zem's character is part of a team that know what it is doing unlike Laure's almost Keystone Cop unit in the former programme. Unlike "Spiral", it is pretty clear that the police know what they are doing in this film! The film starts off with an account of a surveillance operation into drug trafficking which goes horribly wrong and then continues with Zem's character being intensively trained to go under cover and infiltrate the drug gang responsible. This involves going on a "Go fast" where the smugglers speed down to Spain and across to Morocco to pick up the drugs and the hurtle back up to Paris again. This sounds like a pretty banal plot but there is a difference with this film that is apparent when the credits start to role at the end to display a list of consultants from various elements of the French law enforcement agancies that is longer that the list of actors! What this film transpires to be is very similar (though nowhere as wooden!) to some of the old films like "Strategic air command" from the 1950's that were actually pieces of propaganda to illustrate the effectiveness of the US Air Force. Instead, this film demonstrates the workings of the various police units associated with an undercover operation in detail with instances such as the switching of one of the drug gang's cars for an identical model that has been bugged being fascinating. There is also a rather frank portrayal of how the French liaise with the American DEA. The conclusion was also pretty exciting with a mystery running throughout the film as Zem learns that there is an American also working undercover on the same operation whose identity ultimately surprised me. (Not my Dad though!!) In summary, it is easy to be sniffy about this film. Zem puts in a credible performance which is far superior to those you would expect in an American film of this nature and if the villains to a bit two-dimensional, the machincations of the French anti-drug units make this a very compelling film. The action is kept credible and the story seems to be intent on being realistic as opposed to going for a Hollywood-esque type of approach which would be divorced from how the French police actually work. However, this film is certainly not short of action and whilst the storyline is simple, the film is actually better for keeping the flights of fantasy in check. The film does not flinch away from the violence of the subject matter either alhtough not at all gratuitous. "Go fast" is very much an "Action documentary." All in all, there is far more to this film that speeding cars and having loaned the DVD to several friends, this film definatley gets the "thumbs up." Definatley well worth watching.

An action thriller with a lot of cars going very fast. Based on a true story and told very swiftly! It was exciting and alarming in equal measure, with strong central performances. An enjoyable French drama.

Epic movie based on true facts 10/10

This is a very competent French policier about an undercover agent operating in the banlieues and on the Spanish drug run. There is lots of technical detail as the various authorities track our pedigree chums; this gives a Mission Impossible feel to what might otherwise by The French Connection 3. The whole thing is strangely reminiscent of Series 2 of Spiral. Good pace, the usual twists, and some excellent driving.

I don't have much to add. The main actor is very watchable and good car chases as we've come to expect from Transporter/french crime films. You've got to love it, even though it's storyline by formula. Not enough male torso action and was a bit strange not to have any parcours (street running) in it.

Reasonable move. It's no Mesrine that's for sure

From my innocent youth and the masterpiece 'Rififi' with Jean Gabin the French will be hard pressed to be beaten in crime films.Based on a true story it is suspense from start to finish. Well worth the buy.The French just seem to have the knack of making a 'gangster' film as if real life.

Amazon Prime movie, highly enjoyed