This was a recommendation which got me past my usual reluctance to look at subtitled movies, and I'm glad it did.
The 36 of the title refers to the Parisian HQ of the Criminal Division of the DRPJ - the equivalent of the UK's Scotland Yard.
The film follows the rivalry of two captains - Vrinks of the BRI (the anti-gang squad) and Klein, the head of the BRB (anti-robbery) - as they bash heads over the hunting of a vicious armoured car gang. It's had its fair share of comparisons to Heat, but 36 doesn't characterise the criminals so much as it concentrates on the darker side of policing on the edge as the two captains race to stop the next hit. Lines get blurred between the cops and the robbers, Vrinks and Klein pushing the envelope (anyone who's a fan of The Shield will recognise this).
Gérard Depardieu and Daniel Auteuil shine as the two leads, presenting the gritty side of Parisian policing. This is bound to be remade into a Hollywood version, hopefully when they do they'll keep the darkness of it all.