Topic Streaming Presents VERNON SUBUTEX Films — The French Connection (Part III)

In the final episodes, we see a new Subutex, and a Paris that seems more realistic. Vernon Subutex is sleeping on the streets. His friends have been stolen from, abused, and beaten up trying to help him. He is caught up in something that is both outside of his control and well within his grasp. Corporate media workers who are invisible to him wreak chaos on his life, but he continues to disappoint his friends. 

We start to see real violence, some that is tough to stomach, as the series takes a dark turn. But at the same time, we witness a softening in the Hyena, who is fondly labelled as an “old witch” by her acquaintances. She is moved by Anaïs, who starts to probe the illegality of the situation. Director Cathy Verney subtly captures the complex dialogue between wealth, status, sex, and violence by focusing in on Subutex and the Hyena: two characters who have never met, and who fight and struggle from different sides of the coin.

Topic Streaming Presents Nuanced Portrayal of Today’s Paris

This reviewer believes the delivery of Vernon Subutex is prime timing, in that the series presents a series of current issues and demonstrates how they are all connected. Director Cathy Verney portrays the struggles of feminism, homelessness, racism, sexism, and homophobia and brings them into the public eye. 

In such a charmingly French way, the series ends in a rave. Subutex’s friends, old and new, unite in the thrum of an electrifying drum beat. The relationship between Anaïs and the Hyena is far from resolved. A naked record producer hangs naked from his fence, tied with rope to a post labelled graffitied with a list of his crimes. Subutex has decided to remain on the streets. But with their music, their wine, and their cigarettes they are at peace in the moment. In fitting, the music seamlessly draws the series to a close.

Ultimately, Vernon Subutex will likely appeal to the wide ranging audience of all who have an interest in binge watching TV shows during quarantine, as well as anyone who is intrigued by watching the winding streets of Paris through the 90s and today. The series deals with many important and current issues, and this reviewer suggests watching it all in one go. Grab your popcorn!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED 

To watch this series visit the online TOPIC TV and Movie site.

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Images courtesy of Topic Streaming

About the Author:

Theressa Malone is a writer / recent Comparative Literature and German graduate from the University of California, Berkeley. Originally from New Zealand, she is dipping her feet into the publishing industry with the hopes of making Kiwi works known. She has worked in various small publications in the Bay Area, but mainly she just likes to read.