Luc Besson's Subway is unlike the Luc Besson movies I know.
Growing up on his films like The Fifth Element or Leon: The Professional, I thought this was going to be another quirky action film.
I got something completely different, but I loved it.
The movie tells the story of Fred, an aimless miscreant, who flees the people he has stolen from to land in the mysterious labyrinth of the Paris Metro, where he falls into a life among other people who scratch out a living underground, all while trying to woo a beautiful woman and assemble his dream band.
Subway is a prime example of France's Cinema du look movement (Cinema of the Look), characterized by films full of alienated young characters with a visually driven and energetic, music-video-like style.
In this episode, I discuss what makes Subway such a compelling film and examine its lasting legacy in France and worldwide.
Starring Isabelle Adjani and Christopher Lambert and nominated for 13 Cesar Awards.
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