The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.

If this Maigret fails to be exciting, blame it on the script (or the novel).When deprived of his social comments,of his psychological dramas,in a nutshell,when he does not portray the social customs of the period,Simenon's novels are nothing but trite gangsters stories.Apart from Maigret himself (played by Gabin the best Maigret that ever was,but elsewhere),there's simply not one interesting character on the screen. Grangier displays respect for the audience though:American gangsters speak English -and not French with an accent as it was often the case in his colleagues' works at the time-;for that matter,hats off to Michel Constantin ,the French tough guy par excellence ,who plays a Yankee and whose English is perfect.But frankly ,a disappointment.