Love detective mystery dramas, particularly those from the UK and US ('Inspector Morse', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Foyle's War', 'Inspector George Gently', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Law and Order', 'Criminal Minds', 'Monk' and 'Murder She Wrote' for examples, and non-English/American ones (i.e. The Swedish 'Wallander' and the Danish 'The Killing') also fascinate me.
'Inspector Montalbano' is one of the best and most entertaining examples. It is not easy breathing freshness into a well-worn genre but 'Inspector Montalbano' manages to do so with aplomb. Watching 'Inspector Montalbano' is like eating a delicious Italian meal that immensely satisfies and leaves you wanting more. There may be very familiar tropes, but in a way it's inevitable and doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all.
"A Delicate Matter" may not be one of my favourite 'Inspector Montalbano' but it is a great start to the fourth season (as aired here in the UK on BBC4). It occasionally rambles in the pace, other than that there is nothing to criticise.
One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "A Delicate Matter" is beautifully shot and the scenery is stunning, making those who've never been to Italy want to book a holiday there as soon as possible and is a treat for anybody who loves all things Italian. The scenery as always is atmospheric and the use of it very clever, the locale as always is suitably colourful. The music is never over-bearing or low-key with a nice atmosphere and flavour, a lot of it is very cleverly used. The sound effects are remarkably authentic.
As ever, there is a very good mix of hilarious if more eccentric than usual humour (not just Catarella but Dr Pasquano as well), tension and charming drama, all balanced very well as usual, and it's thought-provoking as well. The story is absorbing, suitably challenges the viewer without confusing them and is mostly tightly plotted. Oh and Mimi's theory about the crime is fun.
Characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me.
Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zingaretti who is a treasure in the title role, having a perfect balance of comedy and drama and playing it straight while always engaging with his material. Cesare Bocci and Angelo Russo are joys, while Sonia Bergamasco is my personal favourite of the three actresses playing Livia, not just because she's authentically Italian but she is charming and fiery with great chemistry with Zingaretti.
In conclusion, another great episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
