Le petit lieutenant

Le petit lieutenant 2006

Box Office

$4M

Runtime

110 min

Test your knowledge of Le petit lieutenant with our quiz!

Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Le petit lieutenant (2006). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


Graduating from the police academy as a lieutenant, Antoine embarks on a new chapter by joining a detective squad in the bustling streets of Paris, leaving behind his young wife in their hometown of Le Havre. The squad is led by Caroline, who, after suffering the devastating loss of her young son to meningitis, has struggled with alcoholism. Now on the path to recovery and finding her footing again, she develops a connection with her bright young assistant, sharing moments of understanding, even indulging in a quiet smoke together at times.

As the investigation unfolds, the team is focused on two alarming incidents, where both a Polish man and an English man fall victim to brutal attacks, ultimately ending up beaten, knifed, and discarded in the river. Tragedy strikes when the first man fails to survive the ordeal, but a witness comes forward claiming the assailant was a Russian. The second victim manages to cling to life and is able to confirm the nationality of his attacker as well.

As detective work progresses, Antoine and a colleague narrow down a potential lead to a suspect’s address. However, while he waits to continue the investigation, Antoine’s colleague steps out to use the restroom at a bar across the street, leaving Antoine to proceed alone. Tragically, he is ambushed and fatally knifed.

Devastated by the loss of Antoine and feeling the weight of her squad’s failure, Caroline grapples with grief and frustration. After a difficult night spent drowning her sorrows in gin and reflecting on her past with an ex-lover, she rekindles her resolve to seek justice for her fallen colleague. Through relentless detective work, she tracks down an associate of the killer, leading to his arrest. By monitoring his mobile phone, she discovers calls from the actual murderer, pinpointing his location in Nice.

Determined to end the cycle of violence, Caroline travels to Nice, where she witnesses a coordinated storming of a building by local police. In a tense moment, the killer makes a desperate leap from a window, but with resolve, Caroline draws her pistol and, amidst the chaos, takes the decisive action to eliminate the threat once and for all.

Timeline

Track the key events of Le petit lieutenant (2006) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Antoine Graduates from Police Academy

Antoine successfully graduates as a lieutenant from the police academy, marking a significant achievement in his career. This accomplishment sets the stage for his new role in law enforcement and the challenges that lie ahead.

Le Havre

Joining the Detective Squad

Antoine joins a detective squad in the bustling streets of Paris, leaving behind his young wife in their hometown of Le Havre. This transition represents a new chapter in his life and career, filled with both opportunities and risks.

Paris

Caroline's Struggles

Caroline, the squad leader, grapples with the recent loss of her son to meningitis and her battle with alcoholism. Despite these challenges, she pursues recovery while forming a bond with her young assistant.

Paris

Investigating Brutal Attacks

The squad begins their investigation into two brutal attacks involving a Polish man and an English man, both of whom are left beaten, knifed, and discarded in the river. The urgency to find justice grows as the team discovers the severity of these incidents.

Paris

First Victim Dies

Tragedy strikes when the first victim, a Polish man, succumbs to his injuries and does not survive the attack. His death intensifies the urgency of the investigation, leading a witness to come forward with a description of a Russian assailant.

Paris

Second Victim Survives

The second victim, an English man, manages to cling to life and provides crucial information about his attacker. His testimony helps the squad narrow down their suspect and offers hope in cracking the case.

Paris

Antoine's Fatal Assault

While following a lead to a suspect's address, Antoine is left alone when his colleague steps out to use the restroom. Tragically, he is ambushed and fatally knifed, shattering the squad's morale and leaving Caroline devastated.

Paris

Caroline's Grief

Coping with Antoine's death, Caroline feels immense grief and frustration over the squad's failure to protect him. She spends a difficult night drinking gin and reflecting on both her personal and professional losses.

Paris

Rekindling Resolve

Determined to seek justice for Antoine, Caroline pushes through her despair and channels her grief into relentless detective work. Her drive leads her to track down an associate of the killer, reigniting her determination to find the murderer.

Paris

Tracing the Murderer

Through her efforts, Caroline monitors calls from the actual murderer to an associate, pinpointing his location in Nice. This leads to coordinated efforts to locate and apprehend the man responsible for the violence.

Nice

Traveling to Nice

Caroline travels to Nice with the intent to confront the murderer head-on. Despite the distance and her emotional turmoil, she prepares for a tense showdown in order to bring justice for Antoine.

Nice

Storming the Building

Upon arrival in Nice, Caroline witnesses a coordinated assault by local police as they storm a building suspected to be the hideout of the killer. The tension escalates as the operation unfolds, with the stakes ever higher.

Nice

Confrontation with the Killer

In the climax of the operation, the killer attempts to escape by leaping from a window, leading to a chaotic scene. Caroline, driven by unwavering resolve, draws her pistol to confront the threat and prevent further tragedy.

Nice

Justice Served

With decisive action, Caroline eliminates the killer, putting an end to the cycle of violence that has plagued their lives. Her action represents not only personal closure but also a profound commitment to justice for her fallen colleague.

Nice

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Le petit lieutenant (2006) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Antoine

Antoine, a fresh police lieutenant, is characterized by his youthful optimism and dedication to justice. His tragic fate serves as a catalyst for the unfolding investigation and profoundly impacts his colleagues, particularly Caroline. Despite his limited screen time, Antoine's idealism and commitment make a lasting impression on the narrative.

🚓 Officer 🥇 Idealism ⚰️ Tragedy

Caroline

Caroline is a complex character struggling with her past, particularly her son's death and her subsequent battle with alcoholism. As the leader of the detective squad, she embodies resilience and determination, ultimately finding the strength to seek justice for Antoine. Her character arc illustrates a journey of healing and empowerment amidst chaos.

👩‍⚖️ Detective 🌪️ Resilience 🍸 Recovery

Setting

Uncover the settings of Le petit lieutenant (2006), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

While the specific time period is not detailed, the film reflects contemporary themes of law enforcement and personal struggles in a modern context. The narrative unfolds in a present-day setting, highlighting current societal issues, including crime and the impact of loss.

Location

Paris, Le Havre, Nice

The movie takes place in Paris, the vibrant capital of France known for its rich culture, historical landmarks, and bustling streets. Le Havre serves as Antoine's hometown, exemplifying a quieter, port city atmosphere, distinguished by its maritime activities. Nice, a picturesque coastal city on the French Riviera, becomes a crucial location as the investigation unfolds, showcasing its blend of beauty and danger.

🏙️ City 🌊 River 🌞 Coastal

Themes

Explore the core themes of Le petit lieutenant (2006). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


⚔️

Justice

The theme of justice permeates the narrative as Caroline confronts her own demons while seeking to avenge the death of her colleague, Antoine. Her determination to find the murderer reflects a deep personal commitment to righting the wrongs in her troubled world. The struggle for justice also highlights the emotional toll on those who serve to protect and uphold the law.

💔

Grief

Grief plays a pivotal role in the film, particularly for Caroline, who grapples with the loss of her son and later, her colleague. This theme is explored through her battles with alcoholism and her eventual resolve to honor Antoine's memory through her work. The emotional landscape painted by grief adds depth to the characters, showcasing their vulnerabilities.

🚔

Courage

Courage manifests in various forms, from Antoine's brave decision to join the police force to Caroline's determination to face her fears and confront the killer. The film portrays acts of bravery in both personal and professional contexts, emphasizing that courage is essential in the face of adversity and loss.

© 2024 What's After the Movie?. All rights reserved.