“Polisse” looks at one of Paris’ most unglamorous and quietly meritorious forms of police work: handling cases of abused children in the city’s Child Protective Unit.

Director-co-writer (and co-star) Maiwenn immerses viewers as she depicts the day-to-day slog and its emotional toll.
Combining fictional characters with dramatized real-life cases, the film follows about 10 cops as they arrest suspects, interview children and alleged abusers, and experience personal issues caused by job-related stress.

When Maiwenn presents the minidramas  divorce, romance, cop-partner friction  things get slightly soapy.

But her firm focus on character and realistic approach to the abuse cases, and performances by an excellent cast (Karin Viard, Marina Fois and rapper-actor Joeystarr included) keep viewers invested in the lives of these flawed but devoted civil servants and provide an informative and unforgettable picture of the work they do.