The Temple Wood Gang

 

     A new French film that takes a different approach to the "heist genre". Directed by Rabah Ameur-Zaimeche, this story is less about the robbery and more about the aftermath.

     When five friends decide to rob a Saudi prince, it sets off repercussions that affect the gang members as well as others around them. Bebe, played by Philippe Petit is the leader of the gang, all of whom live in the Temple Wood housing project in Paris. They have all been close friends since childhood and well known to others who live in Temple Wood.

     Mr. Ameur-Zaimeche is more interested in the background and class of his characters than he is of the crime. His camera lingers far too long on scenes that have for all purposes, already ended. He also makes the bold choice to shoot without a score or music (except for a song sung at a funeral and another over the end credits). He prefers natural sounds to add realism to the events on screen. He also doesn't spoon feed the audience plot points and leaves much for the audience to figure out for themselves.

     While an interesting character study, I was disappointed.