Plot summary

In Paris, Tony (nicknamed Le Stéphanois after his hometown, Saint-Étienne) has just been released from prison after five years, time served for a jewel heist. He did not give up his younger friend and associate Jo - Le Suedois (The Swede) - in loyalty, and to give Jo a chance at life, which now includes a wife, Louise, and their five-year-old son Tonio, named after Tony. The first of Tony's tasks is to get back at some people, including his old girlfriend Mado, who instead of waiting for him took up with gangster nightclub owner Louis Grutter (Le Tatoué :The Tattoo). His second task is to find a way to earn money, as gambling won't cut it. His and Jo's friend Mario Ferrati suggests something akin to a smash-and-grab of the three stones in the window of the high-end jewelry store Mappin and Webb. Initially declining the offer, Tony agrees only in making it a true heist to rob their safe instead, employing a fourth, top-end safe-cracker Cesar (Le Milanais: The Milanese). Tony has a plan all mapped out to conduct the heist in the middle of the night so they'll be done and out by 05:00 to not arouse suspicion in neighboring businesses just opening for the day. The biggest issue with the plan is not tripping the temperamental alarm which can be set off by a power failure or excessive vibration. Even if they are able to get the jewels out of the safe and escape, they must still be careful to not bring attention to themselves until they can fence the goods and get the money. Even if all four are able to adhere to these strict post-heist rules, they cannot control their pasts catching up with them, especially Tony, who has the most potential problematic baggage.—Huggo