On the Other Side of the Tracks

"On the Other Side of the Tracks" (original title: "De l'autre côté du périph") is a 2012 French crime comedy directed by David Charhon, starring Omar Sy and Laurent Lafitte. The story follows two detectives from contrasting worlds forced to team up to solve a complex murder case. One is a tough, street-smart cop from the suburbs, while the other is a more polished, by-the-book detective from central Paris. Their clash of personalities and approaches leads to both comedic situations and thrilling investigative moments as they delve deeper into the crime. This film combines elements of buddy cop dynamics with sharp humor against the backdrop of contemporary urban life in France.

Critically, "On the Other Side of the Tracks" received mixed reviews, with an IMDb rating of 5.8/10 reflecting a divided audience response. On Rotten Tomatoes, although lacking an official Tomatometer score, user reviews often cite the film's chemistry between Omar Sy and Laurent Lafitte as a highlight, praising their performances and comedic timing. Some critics appreciated the lighthearted take on the crime genre, noting that the film balances humor and action well but felt the plot was predictable and formulaic. For instance, a reviewer from Le Parisien commented that while the film offers enjoyable banter and urban charm, it lacks originality in its storyline. Conversely, some found the cultural contrasts and social commentary engaging, giving it a fresh perspective within the buddy cop formula. Metacritic scores are unavailable, but audience discussions frequently mention the entertaining pairing of leads making up for the somewhat conventional narrative. Overall, the film is seen as a fun, if not particularly groundbreaking, addition to French crime comedies.