Movies like The Elegant Criminal
If you like "The Elegant Criminal" you are looking for thought provoking, bleak and serious movies about / with homosexual, gay interest, murder, gay subtext, legal, society and rise and fall themes of Biography, Crime and Drama genre shot in France.
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The Elegant Criminal (1990)
398
Original name: Lacenaire
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
On 9 January 1836, Pierre Lacenaire goes to the guillotine, a murderer and a thief. He gives Allard, a police inspector, his life story, written while awaiting execution. He also asks Allard to care for Hermine, a lass to whom he has been guardian for more than ten years. In flashbacks, from the prison as Lacenaire writes, from Allard's study as he and Hermine read, and from other readers' memory after the book is published, we see Lacenaire's childhood as he stands up to bullies, including priests, his youthful thieving, his first murder, his brief army career, his seduction of a princess, and his affair with Avril, a young man who dies beside him.
Style:
thought provoking, bleak, serious, captivating, realistic, stylized
Plot:
homosexual, gay interest, murder, gay subtext, legal, society, rise and fall, confined, death row, criminal heroes, biopic, prison, gay, thief, priest, death sentence, guillotine, execution, deadly, writing, breaking the fourth wall, crime, capital punishment, crimes
Time:
19th century, 1830s
Place:
france, europe
Movie in categories
Most similar movies to The Elegant Criminal
The list contains related movies ordered by similarity. Recommendation engine sorted out realistic, serious, bleak and thought provoking films with plots about murder, biopic, prison, deadly, life is a bitch, society and true crime mostly in Drama, Crime and Biography genres. Some movies like The Elegant Criminal: The Executioner's Song (1982), Act of Vengeance (1986), Guilty (2011), Omar Killed Me (2011), VIPs (2010). The matching attributes are highlighted in bold.
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 135 min.
Story:
In this fact-based film, Gary Gilmore, an Indiana man who just finished serving a lengthy stay in prison, tries to start anew by moving to Utah. Before long, Gary begins an ill-advised romance with the troubled Nicole Baker, a teenage single mother. ...
Style:
serious, realistic, bleak, rough, thought provoking ...
Plot:
death row, murder, death sentence, prison, courtroom drama, price of justice, confined, going straight, journalism, legal, true crime, biopic ...
Time:
year 1976
Place:
utah, usa
Similarity:
95%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
In 1969, an administrator runs against the corrupt president of the United Coal Miners Union, and becomes the target of a murder plot.
Style:
contemplative, captivating, thought provoking, serious, realistic ...
Plot:
serial killer, union, election, killing spree, campaign, murder, labor union, miner, workplace situations, politics, state affairs, media ...
Time:
80s
Place:
west virginia, usa
Similarity:
59%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: France, Belgium
Duration: 102 min.
Story:
Investigates the corrupt judicial system under which Alain Mar'caux and his wife Edith were arrested on accusations of pedophilia horrific acts they never committed- and the years he spent fighting to get out of prison, clear his name and keep ...
Style:
thought provoking, disturbing, touching, realistic, serious ...
Plot:
lawyer, prison, courtroom, legal, false accusation, police brutality, broken family, injustice, rape accusation, judge, life turned upside down, courtroom drama ...
Time:
2000s, 21st century
Place:
france, europe, flanders
Similarity:
58%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: France, Morocco
Duration: 85 min.
Story:
In the summer of 1991 an elderly woman Ghislaine Marchal is found murdered in the basement of her home with the message "Omar M'a Tuer" (Omar has kill me) written beside in her own blood. Despite a lack of forensic or DNA evidence, ...
Style:
thought provoking, realistic, emotional, touching, sincere ...
Plot:
amateur detective, murder, false accusation, courtroom, social misfits, fighting the system, confined, rebellion, legal, life is a bitch, injustice, courtroom drama ...
Time:
90s, 20th century, year 1991, year 1994, year 1998
Place:
france, europe, french riviera, cannes
Similarity:
54%
Movie in collections
4K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: Brazil, USA
Duration: 95 min.
Story:
A human look on the life of one of the biggest frauds in the world happened by important people in Brazil.
Style:
exciting, captivating, realistic, serious, stylized
Plot:
dishonesty, cons and scams, ambition, escapades, unlikely criminals, hidden identity, criminal heroes, society, mistaken identity, drug lord, samba, biopic ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
brazil, latin america, rio de janeiro
Similarity:
53%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
Irresistible charm and talent helps Serge Alexandre alias Stavisky, small-time swindler, to make friends with even most influential members of French industrial and political elite during the early 30s. But nothing lasts forever and when his great ...
Style:
manga, stylized, serious, realistic, factual
Plot:
biopic, finance, corruption, world war one, workplace intrigue, price of justice, cons and scams, frame up, embezzlement, politics, dishonesty, journalism ...
Time:
year 1974, 1930s, year 1933
Place:
israel, france, europe, paris france
Similarity:
52%
Genre: Biography, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min.
Story:
The movie tells the story of a woman who struggles and fights to escape the gas chamber being condemned with capital punishment because of her participation in a hold up in which a person was killed.
Style:
thought provoking, serious, realistic, rough, bleak ...
Plot:
prison, courtroom drama, death penalty, biopic, dishonesty, fugitives, legal, confined, life is a bitch, society, fighting the system, injustice ...
Time:
20th century, 50s
Place:
mexico
Similarity:
52%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 125 min.
Story:
The story of two anarchists who were charged and unfairly tried for murder when it was really for their political convictions.
Style:
political, historical drama, contemplative, realistic, serious ...
Plot:
italian immigrant, anarchism, anarchist, death sentence, lawyer, courtroom, injustice, anarchy, biopic, immigrant, courtroom drama, working class ...
Time:
year 1971, 20th century, 1920s
Place:
usa, massachusetts
Similarity:
48%
Movie in collections
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 94 min.
Story:
Based on the true story of two chambermaids (the Papin sisters) of 1930s France who murdered their employer and her daughter. Christine Papin (Sylvie Testud), and Léa Papin (Julie-Marie Parmentier) are sisters with an already troubled past. Madame ...
Style:
disturbing, serious, realistic, suspense, captivating ...
Plot:
lesbian incest, lesbian, lgbtq, murder, sister sister incest, true crime, forbidden love, violence, sister sister relationship, couple relations, master and servant, sexual relations ...
Time:
1930s
Place:
france, europe
Similarity:
41%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 82 min.
Story:
This crime drama is based on the true story of Billy Isaacs. Freshly escaped from prison, Isaac is picked up by his brothers, and the entire dysfunctional brood embarks on a crime spree that takes them through a dozen states, claiming the lives of ...
Style:
serious, realistic, disturbing, bleak, rough ...
Plot:
strong sexual content, serial killer, true crime, murder, killing spree, anal rape, mass murder, rape, sex crime, nudity, biopic, crime spree ...
Time:
70s
Place:
georgia, maryland
Similarity:
41%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 100 min.
Story:
Based on the true story of the mass murderer Jeffrey Dahmer, the events within the family behind, and leading up to, his capture
Style:
serious, tense, realistic, disturbing, suspense ...
Plot:
serial killer, murder, family relations, psychopath, human nature, family problems, parents and children, haunted by the past, biopic, father son relationship, gay, cannibal ...
Time:
90s, 80s, 20th century, 60s, 70s ...
Place:
usa, kansas city
Similarity:
39%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: Brazil
Duration: 124 min.
Story:
In the 90's, In Rio de Janeiro, the middle-class João Guilherme Estrella is introduced to the world of drugs consuming maconha and cocaine first and later becoming a drug-dealer with many connections inclusive in Europe. However, he spends all ...
Style:
stylized, captivating, serious, realistic, rough ...
Plot:
prison, drug lord, ambition, drug dealing, buddies, couple relations, life is a bitch, addiction, partner, hopes, criminal heroes, downfall ...
Time:
80s, 20th century, 90s, 70s
Place:
rio de janeiro, south america, venice, latin america, brazil
Similarity:
39%
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 90 min.
Story:
Multi-award-winning writer Jimmy McGovern's brand new film based on the UK's controversial joint enterprise law. Jimmy McGovern's gritty drama stars Nico Mirallegro as guileless 17 year old Johnjo O'Shea, who goes from innocent ...
Style:
tense, realistic, serious, thought provoking, crime drama ...
Audience:
girls' night
Plot:
murder, courtroom drama, courtroom, legal, parents and children, injustice, family relations, false accusation, lawyer, law, murder mystery, life is a bitch ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
england, ireland
Similarity:
39%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Romance
Country: Italy, France
Duration: 110 min.
Story:
The last few years in the life of Armida Miserere, female jail director who committed suicide
Style:
serious, realistic, captivating, non-linear
Plot:
prison, prison life, fighting crime, government facility, price of justice, fish out of water, life is a bitch, society, feminism, government official, life sentence, prison guard ...
Time:
90s, 20th century, 80s, 2000s
Place:
italy, europe, palermo italy
Similarity:
39%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 89 min.
Story:
A drama centered around Patty Montanari, the widowed mother of two who went to work for her lover Frank Russo, a captain in a Brooklyn crime family.
Style:
realistic, serious, tense, suspenseful, exciting ...
Plot:
criminal heroes, fall in love, dishonesty, gangster, unlikely criminals, parents and children, love affair, mind game, organized crime, italian mafia, italian gangster, mafia ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
new york, usa
Similarity:
39%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA, Canada
Duration: 87 min.
Story:
Based on the true story of Matthew Winkler, a beloved minister who, in 2006, was found shot and killed in his Selmer, Tennessee home, his wife and young daughters missing. Authorities soon zeroed in on Matthew's wife, Mary, as the prime suspect ...
Style:
suspenseful, serious, realistic, detective
Plot:
marital rape, murder, investigation, social relations, small town, domestic violence, serial killer, preacher, trial, under the surface, biopic, killing spree ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
usa, tennessee
Similarity:
39%
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: France
Duration: 90 min.
Story:
The story of a group of friends, all around 30, who live in the Le Panier district of Marseille, France. It's not a bad life, made up of slightly shady dealings, nights out, sun and just hanging out. But the neighborhood is an inescapable ...
Style:
serious, realistic, captivating
Plot:
criminal heroes, gangster, society, musician's life, buddies, friends, working class, racism, artists and showbiz, prank, music, hip hop ...
Time:
90s
Place:
marseille, france, europe
Similarity:
39%
Genre: Drama, Crime
Country: USA
Duration: 120 min.
Story:
Redemption tells the story of Stan "Tookie" Williams, founder of the Crips L.A. street gang. Story follows his fall into gang-banging, his prison term, and his work writing children's novels encouraging peace and anti-violence ...
Style:
realistic, serious, emotional, bleak, crime drama ...
Plot:
redemption, death row, prison, gang, gangster, brutality, justice, adaptation, human spirit, hopes, journalism, life is a bitch ...
Time:
20th century, future, 80s
Place:
california, usa, los angeles
Similarity:
38%
Movie in collections
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Country: France, Italy
Duration: 115 min.
Story:
François Toledo, married businessman and father, falls head-over-heels in love with Janine, a work colleague. However, he is soon found out: after three dates, he strangles some prostitutes, when, the victim of blackmail, he becomes dishonored. He ...
Style:
neo noir, contemplative, serious, realistic, thought provoking ...
Plot:
death penalty, prostitute, prison, murder, illegal prostitution, marriage crisis, auto mechanic, mentally unstable, love and romance, legal, destructive relationship, investigation ...
Time:
60s, 20th century
Place:
france, spain, europe, paris france
Similarity:
37%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: UK, India
Duration: 113 min.
Story:
Provoked is the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, a Punjabi woman who moved to London after her marriage with Deepak Ahluwalia. Her husband seemed caring at first but then began to beat her up. He started drinking a lot and sleeping around with ...
Style:
serious, realistic, bleak, suspenseful, exciting
Plot:
abuse, murder, wedding planning, hotshot lawyer, hopes, fighting the system, life is a bitch, family problems, courtroom drama, arranged marriage, husband wife relationship, lawyer ...
Place:
england, london, europe
Similarity:
37%
336
Genre: Drama
Country: Iran
Duration: 82 min.
Story:
Since the Islamic Revolution in Iran, capital punishment is carried out according to Islamic law, which gives the family of the victim ownership of the offender's life. Day Break - based on a compilation of true stories and shot inside ...
Style:
disturbing, serious, suspenseful, rough, contemplative ...
Plot:
prison, death row, prison life, pardon, legal, life is a bitch, society, injustice, legal action, law enforcement, forgiveness, compassion ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
iran, middle east
Similarity:
36%
19K
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 110 min.
Story:
While researching his book In Cold Blood, writer Truman Capote develops a close relationship with convicted murderers Dick Hickock and Perry Smith.
Style:
sincere, emotional, tense, serious, captivating ...
Plot:
gay interest, writers, journalism, gay, murder, obsession, biopic, friendship, writer's life, gossip and rumors, manipulation, character study ...
Time:
1950s, year 2006, 50s, 20th century, 60s
Place:
kansas, manhattan new york city, usa, new york, mexico ...
Similarity:
36%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Country: Italy, France, Romania
Duration: 125 min.
Story:
Set in Italy in the 1970s, VALLANZASCA is the true story of the Italian underworld’s most infamous outlaw. A criminal by age 9, Renato Vallanzasca grew up to become the country’s most notorious mobster before the age of 27. Vallanzasca and his ...
Style:
serious, suspenseful, realistic, bleak, sincere ...
Plot:
bank robber, criminal, kidnapping, murder, gangster, romancing a criminal, confined, gang, master criminal, prison, bandit, mafia ...
Time:
70s, 20th century, 80s
Place:
italy, europe, milan italy
Similarity:
36%
Movie in collections
Genre: Drama
Country: France
Duration: 98 min.
Story:
The day his bank refuses to finance him, Georges will do everything he can to save his shipyard and his employees.
Style:
thought provoking, realistic, cynical, serious, captivating ...
Plot:
bankruptcy, save the day, rivalry, workplace, labor union, factory, working class, boss and employee, society, workplace situations, employer, strike ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
france, europe, mediterranean sea, provence
Similarity:
35%
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: UK
Duration: 112 min.
Story:
John McVicar was a London Bad Boy. he graduated to armed bank robbery and was Britain's "Public Enemy No. 1". He was captured and put into a high security prison. Will even the highest security prison be able to hold him? This is the ...
Style:
realistic, serious, rough, independent film
Plot:
prison, prison escape, jail, prison life, criminal, angry, imprisonment, football hooligan, skinhead, shipwreck, gang, tough heroes ...
Time:
year 1980, 60s
Place:
england, europe, london
Similarity:
34%
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: Spain, USA
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
A man (Robert Walker) has an affair with his condemned brother's (Laurence Harvey) girlfriend (Sarah Miles) while plotting his escape in Tangier.
Style:
noir, serious, realistic, suspenseful, disturbing ...
Plot:
prison, prison escape, mistaken identity, death row, prisoner, escape, rivalry, chases and races, assassination, life is a bitch, heroes, investigation ...
Time:
year 1963, 60s
Place:
tangier morocco
Similarity:
34%
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: USA
Duration: 98 min.
Story:
The story of an assassin who killed a mayor in the 1970's in what was known as the "Twinkie Defense".
Style:
controversial, thought provoking, serious, realistic, disturbing ...
Plot:
gay, murder, lgbt, insanity, miscarriage of justice, injustice, power relations, dishonesty, legal, rise to the top, society, assassination ...
Time:
70s
Place:
san francisco, california, usa
Similarity:
33%
Genre: Crime, Drama
Country: India
Duration: 115 min.
Story:
Three men are on death row. Jaggu (Jackie Shroff), a lawyer and a poet, is serving a sentence for murdering his wife because she was cheating on him with another man. Nagya (Nagesh Kukunoor), a man angry with the whole world, is arrested for ...
Style:
serious, contemplative, tense, touching, bleak ...
Plot:
prison, introspection, prison life, criminal heroes, hopes, redemption, family problems, twists and turns, murder, death row, prisoner, escaped prisoner ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
india
Similarity:
33%
Genre: Drama, Crime
Country: USA
Duration: 93 min.
Story:
In 1965 a bomb was planted in a Church in Alabama, killing four black girls. Thirty years later, Tom Cherry breaks his silence to discredit his father's alibi for the night in question.
Style:
realistic, rough, disturbing, emotional, serious ...
Plot:
racism, investigation, moral dilemma, introspection, haunted by the past, rebellion, legal, society, injustice, parents and children, hopes, civil rights ...
Time:
21st century
Place:
usa, birmingham alabama, alabama
Similarity:
33%
Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
Country: Italy, France, USA
Duration: 105 min.
Story:
Lucky Luciano is one of the bosses of the Mafia. He orders the slaughter of 40 other responsibles, therefore becoming the only boss. But a few years later he is put into jail. In 1946, he got a pardon and is sent back to Sicilia. There, he begins ...
Style:
poliziottesco, historical drama, contemplative, realistic, serious ...
Plot:
cosa nostra, mafia, mobster, ambition, organized crime, american mafia, intelligence agency, crime family, mafioso, democrat, gangster, biopic ...
Time:
1940s, 1930s, 50s, 20th century, post world war two ...
Place:
italy, sicily, usa, europe, new york ...
Similarity:
32%
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