A violent Parisian gang has been operating with complete disregard for the law, stealing millions and leaving several dead. There are only two men who can stop them: head of the Search and Action Squad, Leo Vrinks (Daniel Auteuil) and the head of the Anti-Crime Unit, Denis Klein (Gerard Depardieu). Their chief, Robert Mancini (Andre Dussollier), lays down a challenge to the two men: Whichever man captures the gang will replace him as the head of the Criminal Investigations Department. The race begins for the two men - once friends, now bitter rivals. They have different methods and different teams - but both share a love for the same woman, Camille Vrinks (Valeria Golino.)