Watch P'tit Quinquin

P'tit Quinquin is a French comedy-crime fiction movie released in 2014, directed by Bruno Dumont. The movie revolves around a small town in Northern France, where a group of police officers are investigating a string of bizarre and surprising murders. The story is presented in four episodes, each approximately one-hour long, and was first broadcast on French television.

The central character of the movie is Quinquin, a mischievous and curious 10-year-old boy, who works on his family's farm and enjoys spending time with his girlfriend Eve. As the story begins, the viewer is introduced to a series of bizarre murders that take place in the countryside. The first victim is found inside the carcass of a cow, and it is soon discovered that the killer is using homemade bombs to target random civilians.

As the police, led by Captain Van der Weyden (Bernard Pruvost) and his assistant Carpentier (Philippe Jore), try to solve the case, they face several obstacles, including a group of racist locals who are hostile to the North African community. In the midst of all this, Quinquin and his friends embark on their own investigation, hoping to solve the mystery themselves.

Throughout the movie, the dark humor and satire create a stark contrast to the violent crimes being committed in the otherwise peaceful countryside. The humor ranges from slapstick comedy to subtle political satire, making the movie a unique combination of genres. The viewer witnesses the interactions between the police and the locals, which often involve heated debates and racist attitudes. Furthermore, as the investigation deepens, the police uncover the harsh realities of social and economic imbalances in the town, bringing its politics and turmoil into the forefront.

The characters in the movie are starkly different from one another, adding depth to the backdrop of the small town. Quinquin, the central character, is portrayed as a typical naughty child with an innocent face and mischievous ideas. His friends are well-crafted caricatures, representing different facets of life in the rural countryside. For instance, Fatso is portrayed as the chubby and slow-witted friend who helps Quinquin in his quest for truth. Meanwhile, Aude is depicted as the curious and adventure-seeking tomboy who is in love with Quinquin.

The police officer duo of Van der Weyden and Carpentier is a fascinating pair. Van der Weyden, with his seemingly affable and open demeanor, hides a cunning and calculating mind. He is willing to bend the rules to achieve his ends and protect his team. On the other hand, Carpentier is depicted as the subservient, reluctant assistant, who is excited about his promotion to detective. He is a misguided character who often follows Van der Weyden's lead without questioning his methods.

The variety of characters leads to intriguing subplots and the story unfolds on multiple levels. The movie tackles numerous subjects simultaneously, including French history, regionalism, and political correctness. But despite the sometimes heavy and layered subject matter, the movie never loses its sense of wry humor or the entertainment value of its characters.

The movie's cinematography is a mix of hauntingly beautiful and bleak landscapes that capture the essence of the small town. Meanwhile, the director's artistic flourishes make the murder scenes claustrophobic and avoid typical tropes present in the genre, presenting death in unpredictable ways.

In conclusion, P'tit Quinquin is an entertaining, darkly humorous and intelligently made French movie that manages to balance its mixed genre, making it an unusual and unforgettable watch. The movie seamlessly blends its political commentary with its hilarious characters and over-the-top murder mysteries, making it a standout movie in its genre.

P'tit Quinquin is a 2014 comedy with a runtime of 3 hours and 26 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.