Review: Lupin

Lupin, Gaumont Television (Distributed by Netflix), Directed by Louis Leterrier and Marcela Said, Starring: Omar Sy, Ludivine Sagnier, Clotilde Hesme and Soufiane Guerrab, 1 season 10 episodes January 8 2021-present

 Overall: 5/5

To most of us, the stories of Arsene Lupin are unfamiliar. Never would I have thought I would be so captivated by a show I had no background of and one I couldn’t understand a word of. Lupin is just brilliant in every facet. Originally broadcast on French television, Netlix picked up the distribution rights and boy was that the right call. Starring the ever-charasmatic Omar Sy this thrill a minute show keeps you on the edge of your seat througout the entirety of each episode.

Omar Sy plays French con artist Assane Diop who takes inspiration for his crimes from the stories of Arsene Lupin, the gentleman burglar. Sy, the son of West African immigrants, got his start as a comedic radio actor. Eventually he moved to television where he continued to act in many different television shows during the 2000s. In 2012 Omar Sy was voted the most popular person in France. Also in 2012 he won the Cesar Award (France’s version of the Oscars) for Best Actor for his performance in the film The Intouchables. While there have been many different versions of Arsene Lupins stories put to the screen, this one is by far the most popular, and by far the most different. In a recent interview on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, Sy recounted that when coming up with the idea for Lupin he did not want it to be a direct representation of the character, but rather a central character who was inspired by the stories of Arsene Lupin.  

What a good decision that proved to be. Set in modern day Paris, Lupin follow Sy as Assane Diop, the son of a Seneglaese immigrant. His father, Babakar Diop, got a job as the personal assistant of French billionare Hubert Pellegrini. Pellegrini then framed Babakar for stealing an expensive necklace. Assane decides to get his revenge and bring down Pellegrini. Within the first five episodes there are cons at every turn and each episode culminates in a heist that is as fun to watch as it seems fun for Diop to pull off.

One of the main themes of the show is the father son bond that Diop wants to create. His son Raoul, was born to Diop’s former girlfriend, with whom he has a fractious relationship. The conflict of Diop wanting his son to be proud of him while simultaneously leading a criminal lifestyle makes for compelling viewing. Raoul is also interested in the stories of Arsene Lupin which contributes to the father son bond, but Raoul not knowing what his father does for a living strains on their relationship. Diop must toe a delicate line when it comes to fatherhood and that comes the fore in the finale of the fifth episode in the series.

Sy’s charisma is on full display in each episode and big toothy grin cant help but bring a smile to your face. There is even a four minute video on youtube of just him laughing and it is the most infectious thing you could ever wish to see. That charm and charisma helps drive the show forward, with exciment at every turn. Wonderful action set pieces, truly fun heists, and moments of raw emotion make Lupin necessary viewing for any and everyone.