I came into Lupin in a rather roundabout way. I watched the trailer on Netflix and thought to myself “this looks interesting, let me put it in the backlog, I’ll get around to it eventually.” Then I started to hear from friends about their experience with the show. My brother, who doesn’t get much time to watch much of anything these days, highly recommended it to me. My friend Kristen told me that I should absolutely watch it. I made note of it and bumped it slightly up my list, knowing that I would watch it eventually. Then I heard from my buddy Paul that it was absolute trash and everyone should avoid it at all costs. After pushing back some, he specifically challenged me to watch it. His exact words, “I can confidently say that James Parnham will not like the show. Watch it and prove me wrong.” As you may have guessed, having people I love suggesting I watch something only moved the needle so far. But someone specifically challenging me and asking to prove them wrong? You bet I immediately moved Lupin to the top of my watch list.
I won’t bury the lede here. Lupin is dope. It was a breath of fresh air in the hell scape that is our current reality. It’s a show that desperately left me wanting more after the credits rolled. It isn’t easy to explain exactly why it was so much fun, but I am going to do my best. I will avoid all major spoilers and hopefully if you were on the fence to watch like me, this will push you over the edge.
#1 Omar Sy is a star.
I wasn’t aware of Omar Sy before watching Lupin. I had certainly seen him in supporting roles in other things before, but never really took notice. But man, whatever “it” is, he has it. A certain, je ne sais quoi, if you will. He has an incredibly difficult part to play in Lupin. He has to simultaneously be a loving dad, a ruthless thief, and fit into all levels of society, all while being charming as hell. The character he plays, Assane Diop, has significant flaws that the show explores and bares for us to see. He has a tight rope act to perform, but he has such a presence on screen that he absolutely pulls it off. He has a physical power to him that makes you feel intimated, but also makes you kind of want to give him a hug. He has a smile that you know you can’t fully trust, but sucks you in anyway. He carries himself like the most important person in every room that he enters. And he does it all with a level of charm that few actors possess. I hope this propels him to real stardom, he deserves it.
#2 It is incredible to see Paris in action.
Listen, I am sick and tired of the 4 white walls that stare into my soul every day as I slowly wither and die in this 675 sq. ft. apartment. I miss exploring, traveling, and spending time with my friends and family. My bedroom walls mock me every time I get out of bed. That is part of the reason Lupin is so refreshing. Set in Paris, you feel like the city is really alive. The Louvre! The Eiffel Tower! The cafes and the shops and the restaurants, oh my! The show does an excellent job with its sense of space, making you really feel like you are in Paris, mostly due to the fact that it was shot on location. You really are seeing the streets of Paris and the inside of the Louvre. One of the most beautiful cities in the world, Paris really shines in the show. And damn, it’s good for the soul during COVID-19 times.
#3 The show doesn’t take itself too seriously.
There is nothing worse than when a movie or show takes itself too seriously. The self serious monologues and voice overs. The dark tone throughout. The overbearing score. Lupin strikes the perfect balance, allowing itself to revel in its oftentimes over the top heists, crazy antics, and charming leading man. Assane often flashes a quick smirk to the camera, giving us permission at home to do the same. Yes he probably should have gotten caught. But who cares! It was still a fun ride. This isn’t an inherently serious show, and it isn’t intended to be. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t serious themes that they explore, like the corrupting forces of power, how we often are powerless in the choices we make, the responsibility one has as a parent, or how to best escape trauma. But it doesn’t try to ram these ideas down your throat or ask you to explore beyond anything you don’t want to. If you are in it to enjoy a French James Bond / Sherlock Holmes mash up, great! You can absolutely go along for the ride without a second thought. If you want to explore the deeper thematic elements of the show, you can do that as well. It is never preachy, self serious, or trying to be anything other than what it is. This is often hard to pull off, but the showrunners here did a remarkable job of keeping the tone consistent, while allowing us to have fun along with it.
#4 There is a lot of heart.
Lupin is definitely not all style and no substance. At the very core of this show is a story of redemption and forgiveness, rooted in family drama and love. Assane, desperately trying to clear his fathers name of a crime he didn’t commit, will do anything to prove his innocence. He so desperately wants to clear his fathers name, that he often abdicates his responsibility as a father himself. Part of this motivation is certainly fueled by revenge, but he also wants everyone else to see his father through his eyes, as a gentleman and a person who would do anything to give his son a better life. This grounding in reality makes Assane much more relatable. We also see him apply a level of forgiveness to his “enemies” that many others would forgo. All of this is cleverly interspersed in flashbacks and non-linear storytelling that slowly unfolds the layers behind our characters motivations, both good and bad. We also see the heart of the show in the way that Assane connects with his own son, or his on-again-off-again life partner, or a stranger who shares the same mission. There is no shortness of reasons for you to care about our characters and relate to them on an emotional level.
All in all, I highly recommend Lupin. It has a little something for everyone. It has charm, high stake heists, clever direction and tone, a sense of exploration and adventure, and a leading man that is hard not to love. If you have any interest in heist movies, James Bond flicks, or Sherlock Holmes adventures, don’t be turned off by the subtitles, and give Lupin a try!
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