Micitype Pretty Good

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Geraldine The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

SnoopyStyle Fred (Christopher Lambert) escapes from gangsters stealing some important papers and crashes into the Paris Metro. He in his tux is hiding out in the subway. He negotiates an exchange for ten grand from the gangster's trophy wife Héléna (Isabelle Adjani) but she doesn't pay. He befriends roller-skating thief Jean-Louis whom the cops call Le Roller. Roller introduces him to the underground world of the underground. Roller has a gun and a scheme to rob the weekly subway money transfer.This is full of the Euro-fun style of Luc Besson. It's full of memorable characters. One of them is Jean Reno as the nameless drummer. The plot is a bit meandering but the visual imagery is unforgettable. Roller skating down the escalator is fun action and Besson injects music like in a music video. The cops are a little inferior stylistically although Batman and Robin is a fun name.

fran_262 Before seeing the film, I knew absolutely nothing about it other than it was released in the 80s, and reflected the 'cinéma du look'- an 80s film movement. My first impressions were that style had been perhaps over-emphasised in order to smokescreen a less-than-intriguing plot, but later on I found the film to develop many relevant and pertinent themes, such as gender, social class, and national identity. Music played a significant part the film, and the director played around with both diegetic and non-diegetic music. I had heard Subway compared to Drive by an acquaintance, but I found few similarities myself other than the use of synthesised music, and in terms of camera use, several close-ups of characters' expressions to show emotions and the building of relationships. The film depicts the 'underground culture' of the metro, where Fred meets many colourful characters, many of whom do not serve the plot, but bring humour to the film. In terms of class, we see a distinct contrast between the bourgeoisie characters, and the habitants of the metro, with the character of Helena sliding from one to the other. Interestingly in terms of gender, the metro appears to be portrayed as a 'mans space', and Helena is later shown as a strong woman, who makes her own decisions. It is said that Luc Besson mixed genres for a playful effect and for reasons of style over cinematographic statement, and references to popular culture, such as the mention of Batman and Robin. The ending is rather ambiguous, we are left wondering the fate of Fred and what will happen regarding his relationship with Helena. Overall, despite a plot which is not strictly concrete or wholly intriguing, the film is enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing, with humour and romance which was pleasing to see.

FilmCriticLalitRao If there is a director in the realm of French cinema who can challenge American films in terms of content,narration,presentation,style etc,it is Monsieur Luc Besson.His cinematographic vision is so grand that even ordinary spectators from USA hold his films in high esteem.Most of his films like Subway,Leon,The Big Blue,The Fifth Element have fared well at American box office.Subway is a film that will always be remembered for its inventiveness.There are no so many directors who can film an impossible love story in Parisian metro,which is considered to be one of the most busiest areas in Paris.It is hard to tell who is the real star of this film ? Is it Subway's central character Fred the burglar (Christopher Lambert) who is in love with bourgeois Héléna (Isabelle Adjani) or Parisian metro which is home to many oddball characters ? Subway is a successful film which tries to remain close to reality.In Subway's Parisian metro there might not be so many oddball characters who have made it their home but gullible travelers are always taken for a ride when their bags and belongings are snatched by thieves.Those who have seen this film and have enjoyed innumerable rides in Parisian metro will not hesitate to state that in 2008,it is as fresh,imaginative and real as it was when filmed in 1985.

lost-in-limbo Truly I had no clue about what was going on in French director Luc Besson's offbeat, but terribly jerky story involving a sly safe cracker fleeing to the underground Paris Metro, after stealing some important documents off a millionaire that he would try to ransom off to. The bubblegum romantic-crime-drama premise is a washing machine filled with ideas, which are hanging off a very loose, but unpredictable plot. There's not much groundwork, but its impulsive nature, trivial gimmicks and interesting urban environment just gets you caught in the disjointed whirlwind of these strenuously adventurous situations, melancholy despair and eccentric characters. The delirious script never takes itself seriously (the humour is strong) and feels insignificant, but it sure had many awkward and lumpy exchanges. Some passages feel quite useless, and have poor continuity, but there's a certain charm that's hard to resist. The English dubbed version sounds quite terrible though. It's like Besson has thrown caution to the wind, and is experimenting with his visually sharp prowess and stylish verve to get any sort of impact and details through. His placement, pacing and overall enthusiasm is impeccable. Some action sequences, mainly the opening car chase scene is very well delivered. He draws so much form very little and never seems bounded by logic. From the get-go he storms right in and never lets the smoking composition, slick atmosphere sway off course. Brimming in is an electrifying tacky electronic / rock soundtrack (by Eric Serra) and Carlo Varini's camera-work beautifully illustrates Besson's characteristically moody framings. The worthwhile cast do an admirable job. Christopher Lambert's broodingly dry and grasping performance has an immensely hypnotic ambiance to it. An alluring Isabelle Adjani draws up an infectiously collected, and classy performance. There's enjoyably fine kooky support from Jean-Hughes Anglade, Richard Bohringer, Jean-Pierre Barcri, Michel Galabru and the always delightful Besson regular Jean Reno.Besson's "Subway" is resourcefully fun and colourful pulp, if a rather jaded experience.