If you're looking for a reasonably clever, engaging and visceral police thriller --and can either speak French or cope with subtitles -- consider renting 36 quai des Orfevres.

The performer's name that would be most recognizable to Canadians is that of actor Gerard Depardieu, who actually plays a bad guy -- although there really aren't any truly good guys.

He's a cop named Denis Klein, caught up in a professional rivalry with Leo Vrinks (Daniel Auteuil).

Both cops cut corners as they do their jobs on Paris's mean streets, but Vrinks gets nailed with a true Hobson's choice.

The movie, directed by former police officer Olivier Marchal, is well-shot and edited, has a generally good pace and doesn't telegraph the twists. And for those who like bang-bang to go with some plot and character development, there's plenty!

36 quai des Orfevres was nominated for 8 Cesars, or French Oscars. On the downside, there's some of the usual crap about "the system" and going along to get along; however, it held my attention all the way through.

And hey, I'm tell you (whoever you may be) that it could be worth an investment of of four bucks of your money and two hours of your time.