Public Friends (2016) Poster

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Robins Des Banques.
dbdumonteil18 April 2017
AZF (French initial-ism for AZote Fertilisant, i.e. nitrogen fertilizer) was the name of a chemical factory in Toulouse, France, which exploded on 21 September 2001. (Wikipedia)

Although he insisted "his story is based on a false story" ,director Pluvieux did use pictures of this disaster at the beginning of the movie. I've not heard of cancers caused by that,and anyway the events take place in Lyon.

"Amis Publics" (the title refers to "public enemies " ,a term generally used for dangerous gangsters;in the movie they are nice guys ,so "public friends")It should be considered a fable à la "La Vita E Bella",not a true story !

Leo wants his terminally-ill kid brother to make the best of time left for him .His dream is to stick up a bank.So they will organize a false stickup ,and they all will play a part ,like in thrillers;unfortunately,they get the wrong address and they really stick up a bank.

But as the victims of the before-mentioned disaster have not received compensation,public opinion sides with these "Robin Hoods of the Banks" ,soon to be joined by a Marian and pursued by a cop- turned-sheriff-of-Sherwood .

There are good ideas ,and an anarchist side (which remains very politically correct though) ,but the screenplay is repetitive, the dialogue is poorly written,and the last part remains heavy-handed and confused,in spite of the actors' efforts.

The best moments are to be found in the first half ,when little brother says he 'd like to walk in the streets as a normal person (therapy has made him bald),and when big brother shaves his head in public (via TV) to set an example.
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8/10
true story
stephanechodoir10 November 2016
Public friends is a French comedy which was born in 2016 supervised by Édouard Pluvieux. In this casting, we find Kev Adams in the role of Léo Pérez and Paul Bartel in the role of Ben Pérez.

This movie tells the history of a young boy reached of a cancer and the life of which is condemned further to the explosion of the factory AZF of Toulouse in 2001. He spends all his days at the hospital expect for it from better days. In spite of treatments, the disease progresses and the doctors can make nothing more for him. He decides then to leave the hospital to leave living these last days with his brother. Léo seeing the life of his brother degraded, he decides to realize his biggest dream. But when is it ?

First of all, I really well liked this movie because it is pulled by a true story and I feel from then on closer to this history. Then, this movie puts forward(advances) a very sensitive subject which is the cancer at the young people. It is often difficult to speak about it but this movie returns it possible. You really must go and see it.
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