Subway

1985

Subway

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

86%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 7

75%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 6,391
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Subway Photos

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Movie Info

Coming in on the heels of his internationally acclaimed first film, Le Dernier Combat, 26-year-old director Luc Besson created this tongue-in-cheek look at filmmaking and at the denizens in the tunnels of the Paris Metro -- a new kind of underground movie. Fred (Christopher Lambert) has just stolen some major documents from a birthday celebration given by the Paris elite for one of their kind, Helena (Isabelle Adjani). He takes off into the Metro just as it is shut down for the remaining few hours of predawn darkness and once in the Metro encounters several characters in the tunnels. There is a bodybuilder who works out with subway parts, a purse-snatcher, and a flower seller of dubious ethics. Inspired by the moment, Fred decides to recruit a few of the ubiquitous musicians who perform (some of the best music around) on the Metro's byways, and he creates a rock band. Through all of these encounters and activities, the police and others -- including Helena -- are after Fred for their own reasons, none of which coincide. As Fred discovers, going underground can be risky.

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Cast

Christopher Lambert
as Fred
Isabelle Adjani
as Helena
Jean-Hugues Anglade
as The Roller
Richard Bohringer
as The Florist
Jean-Pierre Bacri
as Inspector Batman
Jean Bouise
as The Station Master
Pierre-Ange Le Pogam
as Jean
Jean Reno
as The Drummer
Arthur Simms
as The Singer
Constantin Alexandrov
as The Husband
Jean-Claude Lecas
as Robin
Eric Serra
as Enrico
Benoit Regent
as Salesman
Alain Guillard
as The Saxophonist
Christian Gomba
as Big Bill
Jean-Michel Castanie
as Minder
Michel Galabru
as Kommissar Gesberg
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Critic Reviews for Subway

All Critics (7) | Fresh (6) | Rotten (1)

View All Critic Reviews (7)

Audience Reviews for Subway

  • Jun 02, 2010
    Can I please have the 100 minutes of my life back that ive just wasted on this? Recommended to me by a colleague who was a friend as well but is now just a colleague after this. Bizarre non-sensical story with endless chases around the Underground\Metro\Subway (not the sandwich shop) with the painfully inept French version of the Transport Police that ends with a shooting during an 80s rock concert by the cast of It Aint Half Hot Mum. I could go on except that id rather gnaw my own left foot off. Lambert sports the most ridiculous hairstyle since Johnny Depp in Edward Scissorhands and even the usually superb Jean Reno is reduced to an imbecilic drummer that has no name who carries a set of drumsticks everywhere he goes. On the plus side it does look good and has a feel that is more 80's than Pink Legwarmers & Saturday evenings watching The A-Team.
    Justin F Super Reviewer
  • Aug 28, 2009
    Weird film this, I'll be honest here, I didn't really get what was going on haha just very strange. Some regulars turn up, Reno and Anglade (both very young looking, Reno with hair!!) and do sterling work in their roles but its just a very weird film, much like Lambert's acting style and haircut. Nice imagery throughout though and a good car chase at the start somehow keep you attached...here and there :)
    Phil H Super Reviewer
  • Jul 29, 2009
    So friggin' 80s... I couldn't get through Fifth Element, but this was a more watchable early outing from director Luc Besson. Punk rock style and new wave music reign supreme in this film which, perhaps with subtitles instead of dubbing (I had an old DVD, I guess), might have been more enjoyable. Style over substance, and a better ending than beginning: you can see Besson's style being born, [insert other faint egghead critical praise here], yada yada yada... it's a style you like or you don't, too bad I'm in the latter camp.
    Daniel P Super Reviewer
  • Jun 24, 2008
    More concerned with looking good than going anywhere.
    Marcus W Super Reviewer
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