Review of Detective Montalbano

For 20 years, Inspector Montalbano has been providing evocative slices of escapism from the dull realities of modern life, and the British climate, in these Sicilian-set crime dramas. Their tone is well-judged, lighter than the now fashionably grim approach adopted in many US, British, and Scandi-noir series, but with a greater depth than the crime pastiche of, say, Midsomer Murders. The Sicilian setting is fully exploited, in panoramic visuals and night-time shots of lamplit stone buildings in the beautiful small towns. Whilst there might be a need to suspend disbelief in some of the plots (there are a few that could have been solved far more quickly if the investigation had proceeded more logically), and it's hard to credit that Montalbano's relationship with his girlfriend Livia would have survived for so long, at so great a distance, these are small niggles in a hugely enjoyable series. Montalbano's relationship with his two deputies, Fazio and Augello, is a good blend of friendship mixed with occasional frustration, whilst Catarella provides broader, more farcical comedy. It's noticeable how many of the plots involve attractive young women, either as victims, suspects, or witnesses. Cynical exploitation? Perhaps, but the frisson of sexual jealousy is often at the heart of the stories, which frequently illustrate a poignant personal tragedy, as much as a simple exposing of a villain.

Update: having seen the final ever episode, the only jarring note was Montalbano's casual dismissal of Livia in a brief telephone conversation. Yes, it stretched credibility that their relationship would have survived for so long, at such a distance, but, if one accepts that it had, then surely Livia deserved better than that?