Maigret in Montmartre

I love Rowan as Maigret he is perfect and compelling. The series is wonderful ,attention to detail superb and scripts that keep you enthralled to the end. This was a great episode with many twists More please it's what tv should be Great drama and compelling stories and wonderfully shot.

Maigret au Picratt's, a novel from the 1930's, has gotten at least three TV treatments: Jean Richard's in 1985, Bruno Cremer's in 1992 and now Rowan Atkinson's. This latest film has some good acting by Douglas Hodge as the oily Fred, Adrian Rawlins as the crazed Oscar and Sebastian de Souza as the pathetic Philippe, but it still suffers from a weak script that lacks atmosphere--I mean emotional atmosphere not the Budapest street locations that look pretty wonderful at times. Atkinson uses his mellifluous voice to good effect but is unconvincing as Maigret.

It's already fourth from a film franchise made for television. A couple of months ago I reviewed the previous film, and since then I have been looking forward for this one. It was a Christmas season release, and like usual, I'm a little late to watch it. Sadly, this instalment was underwhelmingly received. But I won't agree on that. In fact, it was much better than some of the previous films, especially in maintaining the suspense. Except the basic plot, it was okayish! I mean very casual, like any murder mystery, it opened its account. In the modern detective films, there should be a opening twist and the end twist. That's what lacked in this!

It's a detective film, so what do you expect other than a murder mystery. So another murder that picks Maigret instead of the other way around. He could have stopped it in the beginning itself, but without it there won't be a story to tell us. This time it's a twin murder with signs of one murderer. Like usual Maigret goes after the clues that all points for a nightclub.

It's a puzzle to solve, everyone around the victims have some kind of secrets to hide, including the victims. Now Maigret has to convince them all to come clean and sets for a trap to catch the bad guy. It was not a surprise twist, but a decent one to end the mystery once for all. There always a suspectable atmosphere about all the prime character tied to the murders. That's how the entire momentum was created to narrate the tale. Then I don't think anybody would guess perfectly who is the killer before it unfolds itself. But the angle is convincing, that makes the overall film a decent.

-xX] At the heart of this case is a man who feels aggrieved. [Xx-

There's a regular cast and one-time cast. The regular ones were good, led by Atkinson in the title role. As always he dominated, then his colleague vanished with a lesser screenspace. The one-timers contributed well too. The night club people, the young boy Phillippe, the Grasshopper and finally all the suspense is around the name Oscar. Montmartre street is the crime scene, but regarding the victims, they are from two different social classes. One a nightclub dancer and the other a high profile name. That is the big riddle the Miagret has to solve by connecting.

The fourth film and a fourth director to helm this iconic novel adapted detective story. As well the first time the writer has been replaced. It maintained its average viewership, but like I've said, not everybody happy with it. I don't know what led them to that conclusion, but I enjoyed it. Nothing special, just a simple suspense drama. On the average it is an acceptable. Especially as it was made for television, that's the perfect platform to have it to maximise the outcome.

Now the final question is can we expect the fifth film! They have recreated the brand that I've only heard of. This is my first version of this iconic detective. This modern version is to reach all the new generation and it did its part decently. So they should continue with it. This and the Jesse Stones can't be compared for several reasons, but this could be the British's own Jesse Stones. I meant purely as a television product, and about a detective. If you had enjoyed the previous three, you would do the same for it as well. Could be lesser, but that does not mean it is a bad flick. So those who wants a cop film, it will be a decent pick.

7/10

What a disappointment to find there were only 4 episodes, I really enjoyed this series. Sharp cast, great scenery and wonderful acting. Dare I say I liked it better then Mr Bean.

I love Rowan Atkinson. I think he is an excellent yet underrated actor. He just gets it. He knows how to become his characters and it makes his believability so much better.

Drugs, slease, love and murder are found in this film. It's not overdone and I personally liked that. It is a simple case of murder being investigated by a shrewd detective. If you're looking for a lot of action you are not going to find it here. This is straight up mystery. I enjoyed it.