this be an exceptional picture with so much to recommend it . the acting and writing be terrific and there be lot of great twist and turn in the plot . a a french noir film and it language be certainly a lot earthy than it american counterpart and but to me this just add to the realism . additionally and i like how non glamorous everyone be particularly the husband and the lieutenant . about the only negative and and the reason the film get a 9 and not a 10 and be because there be a glaring plot hole . like another famous french film and drôle de drame and the confusion between the cop and the accuse could easily have be settle in the beginning and but the character make rather stupid decision . for this and you just need to suspend disbelief and keep watch the payoff be well worth the wait . this be simply one of the fine french film i have see . period .