Episode Details

What Makes Luc Besson's Subway  Like an Extended Music Video?

Luc Besson's Subway is unlike the Luc Besson movies I know.

Growing up on his films 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, where it was nominated for 13 Cesar Awards, and worldwide.

Directed by Luc Besson. Starring Isabelle Adjani, Christopher Lambert, Richard Bohringer, Jean-Pierre Bacri, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Jean Reno, Michel Galabru, Jean Bouise.

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