'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' consists of loose adaptations of Agatha Christie's books, using them as a basic framework. Anybody wanting one hundred percent faithful adaptations may find themselves disappointed. Judging the series and the episodes as standalones, one should be in for a treat providing they known what to expect. Because on its own, the series and most of the episodes are very enjoyable and charming.
"Meurtres en Solde", adapted from 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' (though of course without Poirot), is an excellent example of this. Alice fans, me being one, will love it and it does really show how far the Laurence/Avril periods have come on. With what really didn't work at first no longer being problems as such, some episodes also adopting a darker and more suspenseful tone while not taking things too seriously. "Meurtres en Solde" is great and among the better Laurence/Avril episodes, even if it has pretty much nothing to do with 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' (not one of my favourites from Christie but the pretty ingenious final solution elevates it, previously adapted very well for the David Suchet adaptation).
Will admit to not being the biggest of Tricard fans, too little to do and doesn't add an awful lot. Just personal opinion and probably not one many will agree with.
However, "Meurtres en Solde" is full of fantastic things. Visually, it was clearly made with a lot of care and love with nostalgia-inducing period detail that is vibrant and atmospheric complemented beautifully by the photography. The music has a good mix of light-hearted and suspenseful, a good match for the beautifully balanced writing and storytelling. The writing is thought-provoking while the levity was welcome and didn't feel stale or forced.
The story mixes complex, twist-filled mystery, in a way true in spirit to Christie's writing, with vintage Laurence/Alice/Marlene chemistry, which is great fun and charming. Alice and Marlene continue to be bright spots, Alice has lost none of what makes her so great a character, and Laurence is so much more relaxed and likeable compared to his early episodes (he's also pretty amusing). His personal life is interesting and doesn't get too in the way of the mystery.
Blandine Bellavoir is a joy particularly of the regulars. Aurore Clement is great support and Jacques Frantz revels in his character's unpleasantness (without over-doing it).
Overall, fine episode. 9/10
"Meurtres en Solde", adapted from 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' (though of course without Poirot), is an excellent example of this. Alice fans, me being one, will love it and it does really show how far the Laurence/Avril periods have come on. With what really didn't work at first no longer being problems as such, some episodes also adopting a darker and more suspenseful tone while not taking things too seriously. "Meurtres en Solde" is great and among the better Laurence/Avril episodes, even if it has pretty much nothing to do with 'Hercule Poirot's Christmas' (not one of my favourites from Christie but the pretty ingenious final solution elevates it, previously adapted very well for the David Suchet adaptation).
Will admit to not being the biggest of Tricard fans, too little to do and doesn't add an awful lot. Just personal opinion and probably not one many will agree with.
However, "Meurtres en Solde" is full of fantastic things. Visually, it was clearly made with a lot of care and love with nostalgia-inducing period detail that is vibrant and atmospheric complemented beautifully by the photography. The music has a good mix of light-hearted and suspenseful, a good match for the beautifully balanced writing and storytelling. The writing is thought-provoking while the levity was welcome and didn't feel stale or forced.
The story mixes complex, twist-filled mystery, in a way true in spirit to Christie's writing, with vintage Laurence/Alice/Marlene chemistry, which is great fun and charming. Alice and Marlene continue to be bright spots, Alice has lost none of what makes her so great a character, and Laurence is so much more relaxed and likeable compared to his early episodes (he's also pretty amusing). His personal life is interesting and doesn't get too in the way of the mystery.
Blandine Bellavoir is a joy particularly of the regulars. Aurore Clement is great support and Jacques Frantz revels in his character's unpleasantness (without over-doing it).
Overall, fine episode. 9/10
