Polisse is a police drama based on actual child protection unit cases in France. The visual style reminded me of the American TV show, "NYPD Blue." The acting by the ensemble cast is excellent, but the structure is unusual as it moves rapidly from the personal lives of the cops to the sometimes riveting crimes being investigated. One particular scene midway into the film, involving a homeless black woman explaining to the unit that she must leave her small son with them in order to give him a warm place to live, will tear out your heart. The start is a bit too haphazard for my taste, but I grew accustomed to the pace as it went along. A fair warning to those looking for a happy ending, with a positive message about the world we live in; forget it, this is a gritty, realistic, and sobering tale, and one that will stay with you for a long time.
