Originally titled Le Bureau des Légendes, this French spy drama is a smart, nuanced portrait of international espionage and intelligence in a real-world setting, where nothing is ever known for sure and every decision has consequences. Mathieu Kassovitz stars as Malotru, a code name for the most respected agent in the clandestine branch of the French Secret Service that handles deep cover agents in the Middle East and Africa. As the series begins, Malotru is back from a six-year assignment in Damascus. Investigating a missing agent in Morocco, he learns that the lover he left behind is in Paris and—against protocol—he revives his cover identity and secretly reconnects with her, setting in motion events that put her life at risk and threaten to compromise the entire bureau. In contrast to most American spy dramas, this series emphasizes tension and mystery centered on gathering intelligence—weighing the risks of launching missions without complete information vs. potential success with informed guesses. Kassovitz is superb as the veteran agent whose personal actions put his professional responsibilities in danger. Guarded and cagey, he plays a dangerous game with his colleagues and his adversaries alike while keeping motivations hidden so well that even the audience isn't sure of the entire truth. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2015 debut season, this is highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)
The Bureau: Season 1
Kino Lorber, 3 discs, 520 min., in French w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $49.99 Volume 32, Issue 2
The Bureau: Season 1
Star Ratings
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