Stephen M
Atmospheric, excellent quality production. A cast of superb actors and compelling plots. For me, this was the definitive Maigret, brilliantly portrayed by Rowan Atkinson and supported by a cast of superb actors. Such a shame that producing a drama of outstanding quality was held in so little regard by ITV. High quality drama productions will become a thing of the past. I doubt whether viewers in 30 years time will be wanting to watch Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway again.
Rated 4.5/5 Stars •
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
04/14/23
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Audience Member
I looooved the Maigret series and am desperate for more. Moody and fairly atmospheric, the series is set in mid-50s Paris (and environs) and the producers do a masterful job of getting it right. But Rowan Atkinson is so surprisingly good: after the first couple of scenes you've forgotten totally about Mr. Bean. And that's saying something.
More to the point - he brings an unusual humanity to the role, something you rarely see in crime procedurals. That really struck me. And his supporting cast - wife, Janvier his second in command - are all great. Loved it, and can't wait for more.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
01/12/23
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Audience Member
Turn down what the fuck? Mrs. Maigret is hot
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/18/23
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Audience Member
Great mystery. Not certain what others were looking for.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/17/23
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Audience Member
Just finished watching Maigret in Montmartre again, and absolutely loved it.
I thought this was just about perfect in recreating George Simenon's Maigret and Paris between the wars.
The casting was superb. Atkinson was excellent as the dour down beat Maigret, Perhaps almost to dour. But the surrounding cast was delightful also. I loved the scrumptious Lucy Cohu as madame Maigret, her beautifully understated mix of fondness, frustration and patience with him was wonderful, together with Maigret's approving statements of "you're a very clever person" when she made a pivotal suggestion. The understated but loving relationship was superbly evoked including in the last frame. Mme Maigret as scripted and performed is a hidden gem anchoring the series.
And, through all the faded glories, the seedy smoky foggy environs perfectly staged and captured, the ultimate message of deliverance and positive outcomes shone through. Very well scripted, I thought, to deliver a positive end to a very downbeat storyline.
This reimagining, or is it imagining, of between the wars Paris was superbly done. Full credit to the BBC and production company, in the usual superb English manner, of recreating the historic environment, making it totally believable in a very high-quality cinematic manner, and dropping us into the environment.
I'm comfortable enough for one with the cast speaking English with working class accents, rather than franglais, which is just as believable as when I watch the UK series of Wallander.
I look forward to more Maigret, and more Atkinson, and more madame Maigret as well.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/26/23
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Audience Member
Twin murder mystery!
It's already fourth from a film franchise made for television. A couple of months ago I reviewed the previous film, and since then I have been looking forward for this one. It was a Christmas season release, and like usual, I'm a little late to watch it. Sadly, this instalment was underwhelmingly received. But I won't agree on that. In fact, it was much better than some of the previous films, especially in maintaining the suspense. Except the basic plot, it was okayish! I mean very casual, like any murder mystery, it opened its account. In the modern detective films, there should be a opening twist and the end twist. That's what lacked in this!
It's a detective film, so what do you expect other than a murder mystery. So another murder that picks Maigret instead of the other way around. He could have stopped it in the beginning itself, but without it there won't be a story to tell us. This time it's a twin murder with signs of one murderer. Like usual Maigret goes after the clues that all points for a nightclub.
It's a puzzle to solve, everyone around the victims have some kind of secrets to hide, including the victims. Now Maigret has to convince them all to come clean and sets for a trap to catch the bad guy. It was not a surprise twist, but a decent one to end the mystery once for all. There always a suspectable atmosphere about all the prime character tied to the murders. That's how the entire momentum was created to narrate the tale. Then I don't think anybody would guess perfectly who is the killer before it unfolds itself. But the angle is convincing, that makes the overall film a decent.
-xX] At the heart of this case is a man who feels aggrieved. [Xx-
There's a regular cast and one-time cast. The regular ones were good, led by Atkinson in the title role. As always he dominated, then his colleague vanished with a lesser screenspace. The one-timers contributed well too. The night club people, the young boy Phillippe, the Grasshopper and finally all the suspense is around the name Oscar. Montmartre street is the crime scene, but regarding the victims, they are from two different social classes. One a nightclub dancer and the other a high profile name. That is the big riddle the Miagret has to solve by connecting.
The fourth film and a fourth director to helm this iconic novel adapted detective story. As well the first time the writer has been replaced. It maintained its average viewership, but like I've said, not everybody happy with it. I don't know what led them to that conclusion, but I enjoyed it. Nothing special, just a simple suspense drama. On the average it is an acceptable. Especially as it was made for television, that's the perfect platform to have it to maximise the outcome.
Now the final question is can we expect the fifth film! They have recreated the brand that I've only heard of. This is my first version of this iconic detective. This modern version is to reach all the new generation and it did its part decently. So they should continue with it. This and the Jesse Stones can't be compared for several reasons, but this could be the British's own Jesse Stones. I meant purely as a television product, and about a detective. If you had enjoyed the previous three, you would do the same for it as well. Could be lesser, but that does not mean it is a bad flick. So those who wants a cop film, it will be a decent pick.
7/10
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/30/23
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