Agatha Christie since the age of 12 has been my favourite author and would see any adaptation of her look, faithful or loose (plenty of both around). This series is an interesting one, not consistent in quality but generally it does very well at balancing a light comedy twist and a twisty mystery and is fun to watch. Not to be seen for one hundred percent faithfulness, which is not what it's about, but to be seen for entertainment and seeing Christie done differently but respectfully.
"Pourquoi Pas Martin?" is the third adaptation of 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans?', which is not one of The Queen of Crime's strongest works by any stretch but any Christie is worth reading at least once and that's not an exception. The previous two being from 1980 with Francesca Annis and the other from 2009 inserting Miss Marple, played by Julia McKenzie. Ranking the three, this would rank second, the best being the 1980 version, which to me was very good despite others finding it too slow and faithful. Last would be the 2009 version as part of the ITV Marple series, really didn't care for that one and consider one of the worst of that series, too slow, convoluted, had a wasted cast and the ending was a mess.
There are good things with "Pourquoi Pas Martin?" The best assets are the production values and Alice. Cannot fault the handsome and evocative period detail, that has beauty and atmosphere without being drab or gaudy. It's all beautifully and stylishly shot. Alice added enormously to every episode she featured in, still consider her a breath of fresh air. Blandine Bellavoir plays her with a lot of charm, spirit and elegance.
Music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes though and there are enough twists and turns in the story without being confusing. At least the ending is comprehensible and not bungled. Laurence is not quite as obnoxious and also did appreciate more humanity was brought to him.
He and Alice still don't gel together though, their personalities clash too much and the chemistry is bland, and despite saying the above Laurence doesn't do much for me. The supporting cast are competent enough, nobody is bad as such, but never really fire on all cylinders and lack spark. Nobody really stands out.
Story-wise, "Pourquoi Pas Martin?" could have been better. There is intrigue and one is kept guessing, didn't find it hard to follow either and at least bought what was going on, but the suspense isn't there enough and it does feel too safe and uninspired. The pace is an issue here too as a result, momentum really does sag and it can feel dreary and dull.
In summary, not bad but it is hard not to expect more. 6/10
"Pourquoi Pas Martin?" is the third adaptation of 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans?', which is not one of The Queen of Crime's strongest works by any stretch but any Christie is worth reading at least once and that's not an exception. The previous two being from 1980 with Francesca Annis and the other from 2009 inserting Miss Marple, played by Julia McKenzie. Ranking the three, this would rank second, the best being the 1980 version, which to me was very good despite others finding it too slow and faithful. Last would be the 2009 version as part of the ITV Marple series, really didn't care for that one and consider one of the worst of that series, too slow, convoluted, had a wasted cast and the ending was a mess.
There are good things with "Pourquoi Pas Martin?" The best assets are the production values and Alice. Cannot fault the handsome and evocative period detail, that has beauty and atmosphere without being drab or gaudy. It's all beautifully and stylishly shot. Alice added enormously to every episode she featured in, still consider her a breath of fresh air. Blandine Bellavoir plays her with a lot of charm, spirit and elegance.
Music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes though and there are enough twists and turns in the story without being confusing. At least the ending is comprehensible and not bungled. Laurence is not quite as obnoxious and also did appreciate more humanity was brought to him.
He and Alice still don't gel together though, their personalities clash too much and the chemistry is bland, and despite saying the above Laurence doesn't do much for me. The supporting cast are competent enough, nobody is bad as such, but never really fire on all cylinders and lack spark. Nobody really stands out.
Story-wise, "Pourquoi Pas Martin?" could have been better. There is intrigue and one is kept guessing, didn't find it hard to follow either and at least bought what was going on, but the suspense isn't there enough and it does feel too safe and uninspired. The pace is an issue here too as a result, momentum really does sag and it can feel dreary and dull.
In summary, not bad but it is hard not to expect more. 6/10
