Watch Outside the Law

Outside the Law is a French-Algerian drama film released in 2010. It is directed by Rachid Bouchareb and has Jamel Debbouze, Roschdy Zem, and Sami Bouajila in the lead roles. The movie is set in the aftermath of World War II and revolves around the lives of three Algerian brothers who are dealing with the struggle for independence and their place in the new world order.

The film begins in 1925, when the three brothers, Saïd, Messaoud, and Abdelkader, are children living with their parents in Algeria. The family is evicted from their land by the French authorities, and their father is killed in the process. The trauma stays with the boys as they grow up and see the French colonization of Algeria and its brutal oppression of its people.

As young men, the brothers are drawn into the fight for independence against the French. They join the National Liberation Front (FLN), which is fighting for Algeria's freedom. They become militants and carry out attacks against colonial targets. Saïd, the youngest brother, is captured and tortured by the French authorities, while Messaoud and Abdelkader flee to France.

In France, Messaoud and Abdelkader find a new home, but they are met with discrimination and racism. Messaoud becomes a boxer and finds some measure of success, but Abdelkader is bitter and resentful. He forms a militant group to fight for the rights of Algerians living in France. The group carries out bombings and attacks, and Abdelkader becomes a wanted man.

Meanwhile, Saïd is released from prison and also comes to France. He joins his brothers and becomes involved in Abdelkader's group. But he soon realizes that the way of violence will only lead to more suffering and pain. He tries to convince his brothers to give up the armed struggle and pursue a peaceful path. But the hardliners in the group disagree, and the stage is set for a confrontation.

The movie shows the struggle of the Algerian people for their independence and freedom. It highlights the brutality and oppression of the French colonialists and their treatment of Algerians as second-class citizens. The film also explores the psychological toll of war, violence, and trauma on individuals and families. It shows how the brothers' experiences shape their worldview and actions, and how they struggle to find their place in a divided world.

The performances by the lead actors are outstanding. Jamel Debbouze delivers a nuanced portrayal of Saïd, the youngest brother who is the conscience of the group. Roschdy Zem is excellent as Messaoud, the boxer who finds redemption through his sport. Sami Bouajila is outstanding as Abdelkader, the militant leader who is consumed by his anger and bitterness.

The movie is beautifully shot, with evocative use of color and music. The scenes of war, violence, and oppression are visceral and intense, while the quieter moments are imbued with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia.

Overall, Outside the Law is a powerful and haunting movie that captures the struggle of the Algerian people for their independence and freedom. It is a moving portrait of three brothers who are torn apart by their experiences and struggle to find their place in a world that is deeply divided. It is a movie that deserves to be seen by anyone interested in the history of Algeria and its struggle for independence.

Outside the Law is a 2010 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 17 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 59.