Review of Inspector Bellamy

I originally gave Bellamy a 6 star rating because it is a shaggy dog story with several flaws. On consideration I bumped it up to 8 stars. I feel even with the films weaknesses it's a must see. For one thing it's Chabrol's last feature film after directing at least one film a year for more than 40 years he should be commemorated for having produced so many classics. Secondly, with it's flaws like most Chabrol films it leavea you wondering what intrigues the master detective so much and like the film Flic Story are cops and criminals more similar than different? One misstep was the handling of a main character of the alcoholic younger brother played by Clovis Cornillac. The older brother played by Depardieau and his wife played by Marie Burne. are continually "inabling" him but there's no apparent reason since his shown at his worse on every occasion (unless there is some other motive?). Nevertheless, the cast is good and the cinematography crisp and moody. What I liked most is the film is that it's very french. The inclusion of old Georges Brassens songs at the most incredulous times to move the plot along and the direction is stylish but not showy, (very french).