Have been a huge fan of Agatha Christie for a very long time. Love her twisty mysteries, rich characterisation, meticulous atmosphere, her intelligent use of prose and ingenious final solutions. Her work has mostly been adapted well, the obvious examples being the best of the Joan Hickson Miss Marple and David Suchet Poirot adaptations. 'Les Petits Meutres D'Agatha Christie' is a French series that adapted loosely Christie's work and is essentially Agatha Christie with a French light comedy twist and a "spoonful of French flair". On its own terms it is fascinating and charming light-hearted entertainment with intriguing stories.
Something that is evident in this first episode "Les Meurtres ABC". While not mind-blowing, it sets up the series' tone very well and is a very interesting episode. Although one of the most faithful (parts remarkably very faithful) adaptations of 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie', "Les Meurtes ABC" uses one of Christie's most cleverly plotted works, featuring an ingenious final solution and one of her most memorable characters in Cust, as a framework and fares quite well. Some may question the point of it, but it was interesting to see something different and a worthy, if inferior, companion to the superb David Suchet adaptation (still one of the best of that series).
The pacing in "Les Meurtres ABC" could have been more consistent, parts drag a little. With more tension in some of the storytelling, with a little more freshness put into a few of the red herrings and tighter direction, this would already have been improved.
Likewise with some of the more comedic elements, could have calmed down more and been more subtle.
However, "Les Meurtres ABC" looks lovely, the period detail and scenery are lavish but a great job is also done evoking a sinister enough atmosphere when necessary. The vibrant but never over-saturated or garish colours, that could be quite atmospheric, and stylish photography complement beautifully. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. On the most part, the writing is thoughtful and intriguing with the right amount of entertainment value. As said, some of it needed to calm down but didn't feel much staleness here. The mystery is still clever and very sophisticated with some nice suspense, the denouement still ingenious even with some playing around but in a way that was fresh and still respectful. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Any brutality is not overused, abused and gratuitous.
Mostly like the characterisation, with some interesting supporting characters, especially the suitably mysterious Custe, and a well matched and fascinating pairing in Larosiere and Lampion, it is only the first episode and it has already very well settled. Larosiere is the richer character and is very interesting here in "Les Meurtres ABC", thanks to some suspenseful conflict, but part of me endears to and roots for Lampion more. The direction is competent throughout and cannot fault the acting, Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci being the standouts. Denis Lavant is very well cast as Custe, bringing a sinister touch to this memorable character.
On the whole, definitely well worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Something that is evident in this first episode "Les Meurtres ABC". While not mind-blowing, it sets up the series' tone very well and is a very interesting episode. Although one of the most faithful (parts remarkably very faithful) adaptations of 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie', "Les Meurtes ABC" uses one of Christie's most cleverly plotted works, featuring an ingenious final solution and one of her most memorable characters in Cust, as a framework and fares quite well. Some may question the point of it, but it was interesting to see something different and a worthy, if inferior, companion to the superb David Suchet adaptation (still one of the best of that series).
The pacing in "Les Meurtres ABC" could have been more consistent, parts drag a little. With more tension in some of the storytelling, with a little more freshness put into a few of the red herrings and tighter direction, this would already have been improved.
Likewise with some of the more comedic elements, could have calmed down more and been more subtle.
However, "Les Meurtres ABC" looks lovely, the period detail and scenery are lavish but a great job is also done evoking a sinister enough atmosphere when necessary. The vibrant but never over-saturated or garish colours, that could be quite atmospheric, and stylish photography complement beautifully. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. On the most part, the writing is thoughtful and intriguing with the right amount of entertainment value. As said, some of it needed to calm down but didn't feel much staleness here. The mystery is still clever and very sophisticated with some nice suspense, the denouement still ingenious even with some playing around but in a way that was fresh and still respectful. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Any brutality is not overused, abused and gratuitous.
Mostly like the characterisation, with some interesting supporting characters, especially the suitably mysterious Custe, and a well matched and fascinating pairing in Larosiere and Lampion, it is only the first episode and it has already very well settled. Larosiere is the richer character and is very interesting here in "Les Meurtres ABC", thanks to some suspenseful conflict, but part of me endears to and roots for Lampion more. The direction is competent throughout and cannot fault the acting, Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci being the standouts. Denis Lavant is very well cast as Custe, bringing a sinister touch to this memorable character.
On the whole, definitely well worth watching. 7/10 Bethany Cox
