Agatha Christie is one of my favourite authors and French is such a lovely language to speak, learn and sing in. So as well as being a fan of detective/mystery drama/series, those were my two main reasons for seeing this interesting and generally worthwhile series 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie', with it putting its own term French twist with a mix of mystery and comedy on her stories.
"Meurtre a La Kermesse" is the second adaptation of 'Halloween Party', an interesting, if not really one of her best, book, despite being considered a disappointment by some critics at the time. The first being the David Suchet adaptation. Despite considering that quite a bit better and one of the better later Poirot adaptations, there is a lot to like "Meurtres a La Kermesse" for. To me it's one of the best Laurence and Avril episodes, the best of them to up to this point since they were introduced. Have always though preferred Larrosiere and Lampion, as characters and as a partnership, despite them having less episodes, and generally prefer their episodes too.
Getting what didn't do much for me out of the way, am still not a fan of Laurence. Like the previous episode adapting 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans?", appreciated the attempt to give him more humanity with a relatable dilemma. Just find him rather difficult to warm to, a rather cold fish unpleasant sort of character, and he and Alice, consistently one of the better assets about their episodes, still don't gel together as their personalities just clash too much.
Occasionally, the lighter parts felt a little over-played.
There is, as said, a lot to like "Meurtre a La Kermesse" for. Again, particularly good are the production values, the character of Alice and Blandine Bellavoir. The production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. Have always liked Alice and she is continually a bright spot in all her episodes, have always gone as far to call her a breath of fresh air. Bellavoir portrays her very charmingly and with great spirit.
Again, the music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes thought, with the light heart and intrigue nicely balanced. The story compels with good twists and surprises, and compared to the previous Laurence and Avril episodes there is more suspense in the atmosphere here. The supporting cast are solid if not outstanding.
In conclusion, pretty good. 7/10
"Meurtre a La Kermesse" is the second adaptation of 'Halloween Party', an interesting, if not really one of her best, book, despite being considered a disappointment by some critics at the time. The first being the David Suchet adaptation. Despite considering that quite a bit better and one of the better later Poirot adaptations, there is a lot to like "Meurtres a La Kermesse" for. To me it's one of the best Laurence and Avril episodes, the best of them to up to this point since they were introduced. Have always though preferred Larrosiere and Lampion, as characters and as a partnership, despite them having less episodes, and generally prefer their episodes too.
Getting what didn't do much for me out of the way, am still not a fan of Laurence. Like the previous episode adapting 'Why Didn't They Ask Evans?", appreciated the attempt to give him more humanity with a relatable dilemma. Just find him rather difficult to warm to, a rather cold fish unpleasant sort of character, and he and Alice, consistently one of the better assets about their episodes, still don't gel together as their personalities just clash too much.
Occasionally, the lighter parts felt a little over-played.
There is, as said, a lot to like "Meurtre a La Kermesse" for. Again, particularly good are the production values, the character of Alice and Blandine Bellavoir. The production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. Have always liked Alice and she is continually a bright spot in all her episodes, have always gone as far to call her a breath of fresh air. Bellavoir portrays her very charmingly and with great spirit.
Again, the music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes thought, with the light heart and intrigue nicely balanced. The story compels with good twists and surprises, and compared to the previous Laurence and Avril episodes there is more suspense in the atmosphere here. The supporting cast are solid if not outstanding.
In conclusion, pretty good. 7/10
