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When the highly anticipated second installment of the French series “Lupine” hit Netflix on June 11, its thief gentleman, Assane Diop (Omar Sy), proved that his dazzling criminal acts were no wonder.
Dressed in a sleek tuxedo one minute and a chunky worker jumpsuit the next, this master of disguise has infiltrated lavish Parisian mansions, charity fundraisers and police stations with equal skill and pizzazz to avenge. the wrongful conviction and death of his father. A working Senegalese immigrant, dad was accused of the theft of a diamond necklace by the ignoble billionaire Hubert Pelligrini (Hervé Pierre) when Diop was a child and, we learn, was then murdered in prison, a crime that was made to look like suicide. .
During the outcome of this affair, Diop saved his own son, Raoul (Etan Simon); a dog named J’accuse; and a charity of children, all without killing a living soul. (The same cannot be said of Pellegrini’s henchmen, who eliminated intrepid investigative journalist Fabienne Beriot, played by Anne Benot, in Part 1.) Diop also created his own spy technology, an ingenuity that makes 007 a corporate shill and has maintained effortless cool in its Jordan Retro 1s and a long black trench coat, even folding its enormous frame into a small crawl space like a human origami.
But what really makes me wait for part 3 of “Lupine,” confirmed this spring by Sy himself, is watching this dashing burglar repurpose the systemic bigotry and classism that made his young life so difficult. He was slandered at his predominantly white school and adults were suspicious of him. Today, Diop has earned his place on the Most Wanted French list after his efforts to take down Pelligrini, but he is able to hide in plain sight thanks to his complexion: he blends in with the invisible underclass of workers. immigrants who run Paris. No one of import ever looks at the garbage collector, maid, cook, or hotel staff unless they need something. It’s the perfect invisibility cloak.
“Lupine” is an entirely contemporary adaptation of an early 20th century figure by French novelist Maurice LeBlanc. Readers followed the breathtaking adventures of caped anti-hero Arsène Lupine in LeBlanc’s series of books, which Diop’s father introduced him to from an early age. Once an orphan, Diop found inspiration in the adventures of the great escape artist, and the second installment of the series flashes in time during its five episodes to make connections between Diop’s feelings of helplessness. as a kid and his authorities madness now.
Immigrants doing the job is not a “theme” in “Lupine,” however, just emphasized to make a point. That’s right, woven through the series in ways big and small. Among the large team of inspectors and police chasing the elusive Diop, the only one astute and patient enough to understand that these crimes are a missing diamond necklace, a mysterious break-in at the train station is somehow tied to the story. of Lupine is Youssef Guedira.
Youssef’s background is never explicitly stated, but he is played by Franco-Algerian actor Soufiane Guerrab, and his confrontation with French racism is made clear when he and Diop come face to face with a group of locals. hostile and red-faced in a Norman bar when they come to town in pursuit of a kidnapper. The two end up uniting against a larger corrupt force, calling it the privilege of wealth, systemic racism, the legacy of French colonialism or all of the above and keeping watch on each other, despite coming onto the scene of different sides of the law.
“Lupine” became an international hit almost by mistake. It’s not a huge Hollywood thriller, and there is no brawl over any hour of the bloodshed that is American crime. Diop uses his brain more than his fists. Credit the charm of performer Omar Sy for bringing this unlikely protagonist to life and giving it a depth that goes beyond the usual badass tale in search of revenge. Iniquity played a devastating role in Diop’s life, but he learned from a century-old master burglar how to level the playing field.
A warning to the powerbrokers of Paris: “Lupine” Part 3 is coming. Hide your priceless jewelry and dirty secrets, and never underestimate the help.
Rating: TV-MA (may not be suitable for children under 17)
© 2021 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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