'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' may not be a consistent series, but it is very interesting and enjoyable. Did feel that Larrosiere and Lampion were far more interesting characters than to Alice and especially Laurence and gelled far better and quicker, yet they were in less episodes. Never had any problem with Alice, who is a joy in every episode, but their chemistry wasn't always harmonious and it took me a while to warm to Laurence and am still not the biggest of fans, though the writing for him has improved.
"Un Meurtre est il Facile" is loosely adapted from 'Murder is Easy', which again is not among the list of personal favourites of Agatha Christie's (one of my all time favourites and there is a reason as to why she earned the nickname as "The Queen of Crime") books. With that being said any book of Christie is worth a read at least once, but not all her late work did much for me. 'Murder is Easy' is not an exception, and actually it is still immensely entertaining and suspenseful with colourful characters (even if the lead lacks the charisma of Miss Marple and Poirot) and a wickedly clever denouement. "Un Meurtre est il Facile" is the second loosely based adaptation of 'Murder is Easy', the first being the 2008 adaptation with Miss Marple inserted, which is something to be enjoyed on its own terms because as an adaptation of the book it's fairly unrecognisable. This episode is one of the best episodes of the series and to me it's superior to the previous adaptation, more entertaining, more suspenseful and it at least acknowledges and is clear that it is not meant to be one hundred percent faithful.
Alice and Laurence's chemistry, which has started gelling better since "Sur Cartes Table" (the first great Avril and Laurence episode), doesn't have enough time to shine.
Do feel too that Alice is definitely the far more interesting character here (in fairness though Laurence has less screen time). Laurence has become more relaxed though Alice has always been far warmer in personality.
However, "Un Meurtre est il Facile" is a handsomely produced episode, the period lovingly recreated and leaves one nostalgic while also being beautifully photographed. With a darker visual style to match the darker tone while not being too dark. The music is both whimsical and haunting, while the writing is full of class and elegance, with some amusing and light-hearted moments that balances and gels with the mystery surprisingly well. They are not over-played and there is not an over-reliance on them, just enough to not make the story over-serious, and they were welcome.
Especially when the story is with as much suspense as it does and is more serious in subject than most previous episodes, with a very high body count and the murders are not tame. Very like the source material, which has one of Christie's highest body counts. This is not an episode that plays it too safe and it doesn't feel pedestrian. The ending is well executed and not obvious or revealed too early. Blandine Bellavoir as always is a breath of fresh air, and the supporting performances of Elodie Frenck, who was so good in "Pension Vanilos" ('Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie's' adaptation of 'Hickory Dickory Dock'), and Phillippe Nahon.
Overall, very good episode. 8/10
"Un Meurtre est il Facile" is loosely adapted from 'Murder is Easy', which again is not among the list of personal favourites of Agatha Christie's (one of my all time favourites and there is a reason as to why she earned the nickname as "The Queen of Crime") books. With that being said any book of Christie is worth a read at least once, but not all her late work did much for me. 'Murder is Easy' is not an exception, and actually it is still immensely entertaining and suspenseful with colourful characters (even if the lead lacks the charisma of Miss Marple and Poirot) and a wickedly clever denouement. "Un Meurtre est il Facile" is the second loosely based adaptation of 'Murder is Easy', the first being the 2008 adaptation with Miss Marple inserted, which is something to be enjoyed on its own terms because as an adaptation of the book it's fairly unrecognisable. This episode is one of the best episodes of the series and to me it's superior to the previous adaptation, more entertaining, more suspenseful and it at least acknowledges and is clear that it is not meant to be one hundred percent faithful.
Alice and Laurence's chemistry, which has started gelling better since "Sur Cartes Table" (the first great Avril and Laurence episode), doesn't have enough time to shine.
Do feel too that Alice is definitely the far more interesting character here (in fairness though Laurence has less screen time). Laurence has become more relaxed though Alice has always been far warmer in personality.
However, "Un Meurtre est il Facile" is a handsomely produced episode, the period lovingly recreated and leaves one nostalgic while also being beautifully photographed. With a darker visual style to match the darker tone while not being too dark. The music is both whimsical and haunting, while the writing is full of class and elegance, with some amusing and light-hearted moments that balances and gels with the mystery surprisingly well. They are not over-played and there is not an over-reliance on them, just enough to not make the story over-serious, and they were welcome.
Especially when the story is with as much suspense as it does and is more serious in subject than most previous episodes, with a very high body count and the murders are not tame. Very like the source material, which has one of Christie's highest body counts. This is not an episode that plays it too safe and it doesn't feel pedestrian. The ending is well executed and not obvious or revealed too early. Blandine Bellavoir as always is a breath of fresh air, and the supporting performances of Elodie Frenck, who was so good in "Pension Vanilos" ('Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie's' adaptation of 'Hickory Dickory Dock'), and Phillippe Nahon.
Overall, very good episode. 8/10
