Maigret Sets a Trap (2016)

Chief Inspector Jules Maigret hunts for a serial killer.

Director:

Ashley Pearce

Writers:

Stewart Harcourt (screenplay), Georges Simenon (novel)

Stars:

Rowan Atkinson, Leo Staar, Shaun Dingwall

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Rowan Atkinson	...	Chief Inspector Jules Maigret
Leo Staar	...	Inspector LaPointe
Shaun Dingwall	...	Inspector Janvier
Alexander Campbell	...	Dennis Lecoin
Beth Cooke	...	Georgette Lecoin
Zsófia Rea	...	Nicole Lecoin
Colin Mace	...	Inspector Lognon
Hugh Simon	...	Dr. Paul
Leo Hatton	...	Michelle
Ian Bartholomew	...	The Baron
Katie Lyons	...	Madame Maguy
Jack Johns	...	Rougin
Matt Devere	...	Police Inspector
Aidan McArdle	...	Judge Comeliau
Rufus Wright	...	Minister Morel

Storyline

Over a five month period in 1955 four women are stabbed to death in Montmartre after dark, a prostitute and a midwife among them - women with nothing in common beyond being brunette. Justice minister Morel leans on chief Inspector Maigret to catch the murderer and Maigret sets a trap, using policewoman Marthe Jusserard as a decoy. She survives an attack, sartorial evidence leading to married mother's boy Marcel Moncin, whom Maigret arrests. However whilst Moncin is in custody there is a further murder and Maigret looks to Moncin's family to help solve the murders.

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Plot Keywords:

prostitute | brunette | murder of a prostitute | policewoman decoy | knife | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Details

Country:

UK Hungary

Language:

English

Release Date:

28 March 2016 (UK)

Also Known As:

Maigret Sets a Trap

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company Credits

Production Co:

Fragile Films, Pioneer Stillking Films, Ealing Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

16:9 HD

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the end of the film, Maigret walks past a man who is pasting up a poster for a film at a kiosk; the film is Max Ophuls' last film, "Lola Montes". However, there is an acute accent over the 'e' in "Montes", and it should be a grave accent.

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Goofs

In the final moments of the movie, Maigret passes a bench where a grandfather and his grandson are reading a Tintin comic, however, that version of that comic (see back side of the comic) wasn't published in the 50's.

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Connections

Featured in Too Much TV: Episode #1.21 (2016)

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Soundtracks

Maigret Sets A Trap
by Samuel Sim

User Reviews

Out of the comfort zone…

"How would you like a fantastic opportunity to get out of your comfort zone as an actor?" Of course I wasn't there, but this easily might have been what Rowan Atkinson's agent said to him when the role of Inspector Maigret presented itself. Atkinson is immortal thanks to his famous comedy/slapstick roles (like "Blackadder", "Johnny English" and especially "Mr. Bean") so it's quite an impressive and risky undertaking to take up the role of a dead- serious, stoic and intelligent French police detective. Perhaps it's because I personally don't have any issues with separating actors/actresses from their typecast roles, or perhaps it's simply because Rowan Atkinson is such a terrific and professional performer, but all throughout "Maigret Sets a Trap" you never once get the impression that he's miscast. You immediately accept Atkinson as Maigret and never associate his appearance here with the idiotic facial expressions of Mr. Bean. Hats off to you, Mr. Atkinson, you are a phenomenal actor. Evidently, people who're familiar with "Blackadder" knew this already for years…

With regards to "Maigret Sets a Trap", be careful to set your expectations. It's a straightforward and compelling whodunit thriller with a solid screenplay and tense atmosphere, but it most certainly has its limitations in terms of spectacle. Bear in mind it's a TV- thriller and that the story is more than 60 years old already. That means there aren't any CGI-techniques used in the murder investigation and the character of Inspector Maigret certainly also isn't a super- detective like Sherlock Holmes or Hercule Poirot. He's a bright man, but he also makes mistakes, doubts himself and takes unnecessary risks. During the 1950s in Montmartre, a community close to Paris, Maigret and his team are confronted with a serial killer who already murdered four girls in the narrow streets during the night. Comparisons with Jack the Ripper from London are quickly made and Maigret is under a lot of pressure since there hasn't been any progress in six months. When he finds out more about the psychology and profiling of serial killers, Maigret decides to provoke the culprit via the media and set a trap to apprehend him. The plan works and Maigret arrests his suspect, but is this man really guilty? "Maigret Sets a Trap" doesn't feature any wild car chases, steamy sex sequences, virulent shoot-outs or nasty make- up effects, but it's a respectful new adaptation of a classic suspense novel. The re-creation of the 50s in Paris is particularly well-handled, with beautiful decors, costumes and cars. Atkinson is great and receives excellent support from a dozen of adequate players.