I will highly rate this film for several reasons.
First, this is George Simenon, a 1st class writer. Second : Rowan Atkinson understood the role, the character and the script.
This is a Filme Noire at it's best. The fact that it involves murder is of little consequence, this is about character portrayal, this is a look into the reasoning and understanding of the personas of people and their solitudes, their anguishes, their souls, their darker depths..
In my personal opinion Rowan Atkinson nailed Maigret in a contemporary format. He was subtle and did not overplay. My image of Rowan has completely changed, this man can act, he feels, sees and behaves his role.....
But the film was not just Rowan Atkinson, it was an entire cast, it was a Mise En Scene as it should be... This is exemplary of what can still be done today outside of the glamour of Hollywood..
Living in France I have obviously seen the Maigret films and episodes and this film in no way undermines not fails the originals...
Well done to the screen writer, director and cast for producing a down to earth and deeper portrayal of what has become customary, well done for taking a step aside and giving us something to watch that goes beyond the superficial...
Although this will never become a classic, it is definitely worth adding to any repertoire...
