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.
Saying that "The Mud Pyramid" is one of my least favourite 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes is in no way a bad thing, because it's still very good if not quite brilliant like most 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes are. Some of the evidence for my tastes is illogical as well as scant and the denouement is severely under-cooked, pizza that hasn't been cooked all the way through is less underwhelming.
However, one always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "The Mud Pyramid" 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.
The script is thought-provoking and intriguing, with a healthy balance of never less than amusing if more eccentric than usual (namely from Catarella as ever), some tension and some charming drama with Montalbano's complicated personal life. The English subtitles are not hard to follow at all and helps one to really understand the Italian language. There are admittedly more logical and easier to follow stories in other 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes, but it's suitably brain-teasing and absorbing still with a lot of atmosphere.
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.
Overall, a couple of misgivings but very good on the whole. 8/10 Bethany Cox
'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.
Saying that "The Mud Pyramid" is one of my least favourite 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes is in no way a bad thing, because it's still very good if not quite brilliant like most 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes are. Some of the evidence for my tastes is illogical as well as scant and the denouement is severely under-cooked, pizza that hasn't been cooked all the way through is less underwhelming.
However, one always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "The Mud Pyramid" 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.
The script is thought-provoking and intriguing, with a healthy balance of never less than amusing if more eccentric than usual (namely from Catarella as ever), some tension and some charming drama with Montalbano's complicated personal life. The English subtitles are not hard to follow at all and helps one to really understand the Italian language. There are admittedly more logical and easier to follow stories in other 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes, but it's suitably brain-teasing and absorbing still with a lot of atmosphere.
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.
Overall, a couple of misgivings but very good on the whole. 8/10 Bethany Cox