The Round Up

The Round Up (La Rafle) is a poignant historical drama centered on the tragic events of the Vel' d'Hiv Roundup in July 1942 Paris, when thousands of Jewish families were arrested and deported by French police under Nazi orders. The film follows various characters—including children, families, and authorities—depicting the harrowing reality faced by those trapped in the ordeal. Jean Reno portrays a police inspector navigating the moral complexities during this dark chapter. Through intense storytelling and immersive detail, the movie sheds light on an often overlooked episode of World War II history from the French perspective, emphasizing themes of courage, humanity, and the resilience of the human spirit amidst atrocity.

Critics have offered mixed responses to The Round Up, praising its emotional depth and historical significance while criticizing certain execution aspects. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 57% approval rating, indicating a divided audience and critic reception. Many reviewers commend the performances, especially Jean Reno's portrayal, highlighting the film's powerful depiction of innocence affected by war. The IMDb user rating stands at 7.0/10, showing a generally positive but varied viewer appreciation. Metacritic's score of 49/100 reflects these mixed reviews, with some critics pointing out the film's length and pacing as drawbacks. For instance, The Guardian lauded the movie for its unflinching look at a painful history but noted moments where the narrative felt overly drawn out. Conversely, Variety praised the film's attention to detail and emotional impact but mentioned it occasionally veers into melodrama. Overall, The Round Up is regarded as an important historical recount that resonates emotionally, though its cinematic execution may not fully satisfy all audiences.