I am a big fan of this show, being Italian myself. Haven't missed an episode.
And i believe that the series, as a whole, has a lot to offer. So why only a 7/10 rating.
Well ..
Il Commissario Montalbano is a TV series (in long format, with two film length shows per season) based on the books written by the series' co-author, Andrea Camilleri.
Now, Camilleri's books are quite brilliant. Quirky, unusual - but still realistic, down to earth - mysteries set in a police procedural. Kind of like our very own homegrown Agatha Christie. Italians are quite proud of him.
And yet, some are better than others. And obviously the early films used up most of the good stuff, and the latter shows are a bit less credible, a bit less interesting.
Camilleri himself can get away with it, because of his writing style and the quality of the dialogue, which unfortunately would go lost on any foreign-language-speaking audience. And while the subtitles are more than adequate, much of the finer details do get lost. You still get your mysteries, but if those aren't great, then the show isn't great.
I would recommend this show to anyone, but once you feel that the show has run its course, let it go.
My vote: 7/10 - it's getting a bit repetitive.
And i believe that the series, as a whole, has a lot to offer. So why only a 7/10 rating.
Well ..
Il Commissario Montalbano is a TV series (in long format, with two film length shows per season) based on the books written by the series' co-author, Andrea Camilleri.
Now, Camilleri's books are quite brilliant. Quirky, unusual - but still realistic, down to earth - mysteries set in a police procedural. Kind of like our very own homegrown Agatha Christie. Italians are quite proud of him.
And yet, some are better than others. And obviously the early films used up most of the good stuff, and the latter shows are a bit less credible, a bit less interesting.
Camilleri himself can get away with it, because of his writing style and the quality of the dialogue, which unfortunately would go lost on any foreign-language-speaking audience. And while the subtitles are more than adequate, much of the finer details do get lost. You still get your mysteries, but if those aren't great, then the show isn't great.
I would recommend this show to anyone, but once you feel that the show has run its course, let it go.
My vote: 7/10 - it's getting a bit repetitive.