Original subtitles

Hello?

He... Hello, Mr. Hermann?

I'm being follow...

THE FRENCH MANS

Anyone there?

- Alban? - Ah! Stop screaming, Vincent.

- You're scaring me. - Hey, you're scaring me too!

- Wh... Where are we? - No idea. There's a bag over my head.

There's a bag over my head too!

Yoo-hoo!

- Woo! - Anyone there?

Oh, God!

Oh, please.

I don't know who you are, but there's... There's been a misunderstanding.

I am Vincent Piquet.

I work for the County Planning.

I am Alban Bourne! I hand out the mail!

What's going on? Who are you?

Oh, that's my mom's car!

I'm warning you, if you damage that, I'm screwed!

- Where is my cash? - No!

I swear, it's all been a misunderstanding.

No!

No, no!

Oh!

Oh!

I gave my money and a cell phone to one of my partners.

This cell phone.

We tracked it.

It was in your pocket, asshole.

We didn't know it was yours. I... I found it on the ground.

So where's the cash?

And where's my partner?

There was no money, no one.

- Where is my fucking money? - I don't know, I swear.

Where's my fucking money?

- Please... - I'm going to fucking tear you apart,

- rip your teeth out! - Don't, please.

We told you everything! That's all we know.

- We know absolutely nothing! - You're dead!

No, I have it! I have it!

I have your money! I have your dough!

Where is it?

In a safety deposit box. It's in a bank in Strasbourg.

No, uh, Alban, I... I don't think so.

Why that bank?

Well, so... so no one will find it.

Who took it there?

A friend of mine.

A friend?

Yeah, uh, of my aunt's.

Okay, okay.

Let me get this straight.

You entrusted my eight hundred grand, in cash, to a friend of your aunt's…

- Uh-huh. - …so she could deposit it in Strasbourg?

Exactly.

Are you absolutely certain?

Affirmative.

That's funny, because I'm only out 500 grand.

I'm going to give you ten seconds to tell me where my money is.

We just have nothing to do with it, I swear to you.

That money is for my wife's ransom!

- And it has disappeared! - You said your wife?

- So if she happens to be dead... - You're Mr. Hermann.

- It's Mr. Hermann. - Yes, I think so.

- Wait, you're Mr. Hermann... - Shh!

Yes, evening, Claude.

No, no, no, I'm just out of breath because I've been jogging.

No, no news, no.

Yeah, she went out for a spa day with a friend. You know your daughter.

- Surely she'll call. - Yes, she will.

Oh, okay. Yes, as soon as she gets back, I promise.

By the way, how was that golf game today?

It's...

She's alive.

Your... Your wife, she's... she's alive. You're Mr. Hermann, right?

Yes.

They thought I was you on the phone. I... I...

I found the phone on the side of the road this morning.

So you actually found this phone?

Yes! I... I thought it belonged to the guy who had the accident.

- Uh, that's why we were at the hospital. - Yes.

They changed the time and place to meet. Look in my pocket.

There.

- And why should I believe your story? - Because we did this to save your wife!

There's... There's no time to lose.

It's tonight. I really think we could still have a chance.

So let's assume I believe you, and that there's an actual meeting.

I can't go there without money.

- Oh, no! - No.

- Oh, of course not... - No.

- That's... That would be crazy. - Yeah, suicide.

Obviously, huh? Only a moron would go there without money.

- Yes. You said it. - Definitely.

Only a total moron would do that.

- That's what we said this morning. - We discuss...

That's why you're who'll go.

- Huh? - You mean that?

That's why you are going to meet them.

- Of course. - What do you mean? I...

- I misheard. - What?

You like country music?

It's my mom's CD.

Here.

And take this. The code for the briefcase is on it.

- Okay. - You, get out.

- But why me? - Get out of the car!

- Don't kill me! - Oh, no. No, don't hurt him.

- Don't hurt him. - Don't kill me!

Oh, I don't want to die! Please. Or make it quick! I'm begging you.

Oh, wait!

Oh, Vi... Vincent. When you get back to my room,

under my mattress there are some magazines.

I want you to burn them. Or whatever. Just don't let my mom see them.

- It was a youthful indiscretion. - Stand up.

- What? - Stand up. Get in the front.

- You're going to drive, you idiot. - Me?

Go!

You'd better pray she's still alive. If not, you two will be next.

We won't be far.

Vince. I wanted to tell you,

about the magazines, they're not porn.

They're... They're... They're erotica, actually, you know?

You could even call them collectibles.

We're going to die.

- What? - It's empty.

No…

Oh, gimme that. Gimme that.

Shit.

Oh, fuck.

- Hello? - You aren't Mr. Hermann.

Uh, no. That's what I was trying to tell you actually.

What is your name?

Steve.

And you are not alone.

Uh, no.

Let me talk to your friend.

Oh, no, no, no, I'm not here! No!

- He wants to talk to you. Come on. - No. I'm not...

Now, Alban!

Please.

I don't want to.

Yes, Hervé here.

Get down on your knees. Hands on your head.

Pass the phone to your friend. Don't move or we'll shoot.

Okay, I got no problem with that.

What are you doing?

Shut up, Vince. Fuck.

Hello?

Now walk forward, alone.

Good luck, Vince.

Good evening.

You brought it?

Uh, yeah.

Good.

Your employer, Mr. Hermann, is an idiot.

Yeah, well, actually, he's not really my employer.

- He's an idiot, but most of all, a coward. - Yeah, he's a coward.

He had two months to pay off his gambling debts.

- Two months. - Yeah. It's...

That's why we're here tonight.

So now, I want my money.

Give me the money.

I want some guarantees.

- Guarantees? - Mm-hmm.

Yeah.

He wants guarantees!

No, I mean, uh, this is... This is a swap, right?

I'm not leaving without her.

So don't try to screw me over!

Uh, well, if you don't mind.

Untie her.

Right, so here's what we're gonna do.

She walks forward, alone.

We both keep one hand on the briefcase.

As soon as she passes me, you let go of the briefcase, okay?

Okay.

- Yeah, great. - But first, we're going to count it.

No, that might take... Take a really long time to do that.

Count it afterwards?

Open the briefcase.

Yes.

It's just that I don't know the combination by heart.

So,

eight.

Um, is that a...

- Is that a seven or a nine? - It's clearly a nine.

Is that a nine?

Yes, it's a nine.

It's a nine.

- Can you get Alil from here? - Yeah.

- Go ahead. - Are you sure?

If my wife dies, I'm dead, so, yes, I'm sure!

It's just, normally on the nine curves like this, it curves here. Doesn't...

There you go.

What? It's empty.

Pfft!

What the...

This is supposed to be, uh, full of money, and I...

I'm gonna have to kill you.

Oh, dear.

What?

No!

Shit!

Alban!

- No, Alban, not that side! - Go, drive. Go, get in.

Start the car!

Wait, my seat belt!

Start the car!

Shit! Move it.

What are you doing?

Faster!

- Faster! - We're good.

Okay, we're good. Okay, we're good.

You need to calm down.

She's... She's completely insane! Ow!

I don't like this.

- Ah! - She's really strong!

Ow! Let me go, you crazy bitch.

Alban. Alban, here.

Easy. Easy. Easy.

There we go. Shit. Damn it.

She won't move anymore.

- I think I'm going to throw up. - Park here. I'll drive.

I have to do everything around here.

What are we doing here?

Did I sleep long?

Why did you shoot me?

Call me Mr. Jacques.

Don't you have the money?

I saw you leaving the house of a man who's wanted in Russia with a bag full of money.

I was doing business. I'm an art dealer.

If you're just an art dealer,

then why did you suddenly run when I asked you to stop?

That's not very polite.

And when we finally get a chance to chat,

you tell me about an Albanian named Alil on the phone.

And that phone's gone.

So, if you wanna keep yourself in one piece and remain among the living,

I suggest you stop telling tall tales

and strongly recommend you start telling the truth.

- Is that clear enough for you? - Oh, yes, very clear.

Th-The phone belongs to Mr. Hermann.

He's my boss. I'm telling the truth. I'm just a middleman.

Very good, Mr. Middleman.

Lee's go see this Mr. Hermann. That is, if that's okay with you, of course.

Yes, yes, of course. I'll do what you want.

How very kind of you.

That'll be all. You can leave.

- We have to get rid of her. - What?

How are we gonna get rid of her? We're not killers.

Okay, wait, funny guy.

If we let her go, they'll find us and kill us. That's it, end of story.

Yes, but we can't go to my place. I... I have roommates…

- And my mom's at my place. - I know, but, not for long.

Just for tonight. Just to give us time to find a solution.

This is nuts. It's nuts, it's nuts.

I can't take this. I told you that this was nuts from the beginning.

That's it, now you realize it's nuts.

From the beginning, you wanted to play it cool.

You see the mess we're in now?

You said we were the only two people who could save this woman.

No, I wanted to go to the cops.

Vince, after all, what you're feeling is normal.

I mean, it's called adrenaline.

But this is no time to panic, or we're done for.

Alban.

Okay, you're right.

We'll go to my mom's house, but she can't see the girl.

Well, she better not see her car either, huh?

If she sees the car, she'll bump me off.

"Goodbye, Alban." The end.

Okay, we need to find a way to tie her up.

Fuck.

My mom's gonna kill me.

What?

My mom's gonna kill me.

Yeah.

Close the door. My mom's in her room watching TV. We'll bring her to my room.

Alban, is that you?

- Are you back? - Yes, Mom.

Did you park the car in the garage?

Yes, I parked it in the garage. Do you need anything?

No, no, no. Oh, on second thought, yes.

A steaming hot water bottle, if you don't mind.

I should've kept my mouth shut.

I'll bring you one.

What about Vincent?

Why do you keep talking about him?

Well, what happened at the hospital?

Oh, that, yeah. Well, it's done. He won't be able to have any children.

- End of the line. - Oh, my gosh.

That's terrible.

Hello.

Ah!

Stop it!

And while you're in the kitchen, can you get me a glass of water?

Yes, Ma!

Alban!

Alban!

I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming.

- Here you go. There. - Thanks.

Have everything you need?

No, uh, can you get me my sleeping pills from the nightstand there?

Here.

Thanks.

I'm gonna get your hot water bottle.

- Sorry. - I'll be quick, I promise. I'll…

Calm down. Stop. Stop.

Alban!

Coming, Vincent. Coming.

- That's too bad, eh? - What's too bad?

Well, Vincent.

That he can't have children.

Oh. Yeah, well, it's not a big deal.

- Ah. - Work is more important to him.

Poor guy. It's a good thing he has you.

Enough, Ma. I need to eat something quick because I'm starving.

You'll find leftovers in the fridge, okay?

- Ah, great. Thanks, Mom! - Yeah.

There you go. Take off the tape.

We'll give her my mom's meds

and she'll go to sleep.

There. Go on, go on.

Good. Again.

Okay, right. So sleep well tonight, baby.

- Yeah. - My uncle is gonna kill you.

- What'd she say? - "My uncle is gonna kill you."

What are we doing anyway? We're not kidnappers.

We are saving Mrs. Hermann, Vincent.

We hold all the cards. We're in charge of the game.

Don't you get it? Did you hear what she said?

"My uncle is gonna kill you."

Family is the strongest link.

We have a bargaining chip.

Now they're gonna call us.

We don't have the phone anymore. I lost it back there.

They don't even know who we are.

Shit.

Okay, look.

Here it is.

We're saved now.

We'll call them.

- No. - And then they'll have to accept our deal.

- They will! - No, I'm done. I'm going back home.

- Pardon? - You do what you want,

but that's going too far.

Hey, it was your idea to come back here, huh?

You put me at great risk, man.

I stick with you, and now you're gonna abandon me?

Don't even think of it.

We're in this together, bro.

Look, I get it. We're both very tired.

We've been under pressure for 24 hours, and now is not the time to give up, bro.

We're in the thick of things here. Be resilient.

You can do this! You're my man, brother.

We'll work in shifts, all right.

I'll watch her for four hours while you sleep, and then we'll switch.

Okay.

We'll always have a pair of eyes on her. Don't let her go.

Louise has been trying to reach me all day.

Well, maybe she wants to tell you that you're the man of her dreams, or…

Huh?

Or maybe she realized that…

you left her a report filled with blank paper.

It's one or the other.

Vincent.

You're gonna have to face the facts. I'm talking to you as your friend here.

That chick's not the one for you.

You are a good guy. You deserve a good girl.

She's not good enough for you.

Trust me on this. I know chicks.

Vince!

- Vince! - Hmm?

Hey, wake up!

- Is it my watch? - No, no, no, it's morning.

Really? You kept watch all night?

Yeah, what do you think? I never closed my eyes.

Ah, fuck! I have a meeting in 20 minutes!

Go, you can't draw attention. But be back here as soon as you can.

I'll come up with a plan.

Alban, wake up, my honey bun! You're gonna be late for work.

Is that a roof?

- Good morning, Ms. Burne. - Good morning. Uh, what is happening?

If I remember correctly, you own the burgundy Kangoo?

- Fuck. - Yes, it's in the garage.

No, it's illegally parked at the end of the road there.

And it's been vandalized.

Well, that just can't be!

Well, come and see for yourself.

But this can't be true. It's not possible.

- Here. - What's going on?

Look at that.

Oh. He parked it in the garage last night.

Hey, Alban. Alban, the police are here. They found the car. Your mom's with them.

Oh, fuck! I'm dead. Watch her for five minutes.

No, no, no, I can't. I have a meeting. No, no, no.

- Three minutes! - Fuck.

This must be some kind of dream.

Yeah, well, it's certainly not a dream.

Oh, my God.

- It's not possible. - What happened?

- Oh, Mom, are you hurt? - No.

You're bleeding!

Oh, no! I was so afraid. I was so afraid.

I was so afraid. So…

Oh, no.

This can't be happening.

Fuck!

- The thief stole our car last night. - No!

From your garage, but without breaking in.

And it's my fault.

- I forgot to lock the garage door. - Oh!

And then Vincent... Come see.

Oh, no!

- Oh! I was... - What's going on?

- I'm too stupid! - Oh, no. Oh, my God.

Yesterday, I forgot to... I knew I'd forgotten something last night.

Oh, yeah, damn.

I didn't lock...

- I disgust myself sometimes! - No, no way... No!

Be careful, Alban! You're vomiting on your friend!

- Hah. - Go... Go wash yourself off in the kitchen.

No, I don't have time. I have to get to work.

No, I'm sick. I'm not going to work.

I'm going to stay in my room.

Have a nice morning, everybody.

Hey, Vincent!

- Lou... Louise? You okay? - Yeah.

I tried to call you all day yesterday.

Do you usually turn in a blank report?

No.

Oh, no, I didn't check the... The ink cartridge, I guess.

Where were you in the afternoon?

Any relation to your five o'clock date?

Uh, no, I canceled it. I had a bit of a stomach bug, um…

Is that smell coming from you?

- It's, uh, not, no. - Yes, it smells...

It smells like vomit.

Ah, vomit. Yeah, that's me.

- Vincent! - Yes?

Mr. Becker's coming. The meeting's about to start.

Everything must be perfect, down to the finest detail.

Oh, and is the smell of vomit, uh, one of those details?

- Yes, obviously. - Yeah, obviously, I understand.

- I hope so. - Right. So,

- I should go to the restroom then. - Yes.

Vincent.

Alcohol is never a solution.

What? No, I haven't…

I am merciless.

I do what I want. Okay?

If I want to do something to you, I do.

No! No, Mom! No, don't come in.

- Don't come in. - Is there anyone with you?

Ma! Wait, I'm sick!

Don't come in.

Ooh! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

Leave me alone.

You could have told me that you invited someone to sleep over.

- Ma, leave me alone, please. - Sorry, sorry.

I'll leave you alone, and then we'll talk later?

- Eh? - Thanks.

Sorry.

Sorry.

I didn't realize.

We all love this city.

I can see it in your faces.

Two years ago, I had a dream.

The dream of a glorious future for Beaucastel.

The preservation of our businesses, our schools and our jobs.

You smell like the office bathroom.

To be honest, I did not expect the administrative delays…

…that we have experienced.

But, one person has always believed in this and has never given up on it.

And thanks to this person, in just a few days,

I'm going to see this dream come true.

Of course, I am talking about Louise Botello.

"Oh, oh, oh."

"Yes, Mr. Becker. Oh."

Thank you. Thank you, Claude.

So let's talk about the ecodistrict project

that's going to revive the center of Beaucastel

and revitalize public spaces in our city.

I have listed the public's concerns.

You can glance at the results of this public consultation,

which proves we're on the right track.

Vincent…

…have you, um, come up with a slogan for our launch today?

We need it to develop the media strategy for this project.

Yes, yes. Yes, I have it.

We're listening.

- What, you mean now? - Yes.

"Beaucastel…"

- Is that it? - No.

Unless you think it's good like that.

- No. - "Beaucastel…"

Mm-hmm?

- "Small town…" - Mm-hmm.

"…great future"?

Hmm.

"Small town," huh…

"great future."

I love it.

A round of applause!

Fantastic!

Yeah, it's great.

We'll send it to the graphic designer for the banners right away.

Vincent, way to go.

Thanks.

Truly, Vincent, it's worthy of a great artist. Mmm.

Oh, well, Sandrine, you're too kind. Thank you.

- Bravo. - Thanks.

- Where'd you find that shitty slogan? - Up your ass.

- Don't worry, he deserves it. - Yeah.

- Vincent Piquette? - Uh, yes?

You left this behind last time we saw each other.