With Agatha Christie being one of my favourite authors for quite a long time now, being someone who likes foreign language detective/mystery series/dramas and as someone who's studied and sings in French and loves the language, 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' appealed to me straightaway. It is an uneven series but it is interesting and entertaining mostly and it was nice to see something different without disgracing the source material.
"Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte" is the third adaptation of 'Mrs McGinty's Dead'. The others being the 1964 'Murder Most Foul' (very loose) with Margaret Rutherford and the most faithful of the three David Suchet adaptation, whereas "Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte" uses the book as a loose basic framework though with elements of the source material. All three are excellent on their own merits, so this is a case of the series where there isn't a real preference in comparison to other adaptations of the stories adapted. Found this to be a great episode, and another one of the best Laurence/Avril episodes and one of the best episodes 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie'.
Not much to object to here in "Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte", other than the slightly annoying character of the Concierge.
There is so much to recommend however. The writing for Laurence and the chemistry between him and Alice improved enormously in the later Laurence/Avril episodes, and that can be seen with "Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte". Laurence is much more at ease and less obnoxious than seen before, the ill at ease obnoxiousness being a big problem with the previous Laurence/Avril episodes. Actually found him quite amusing, like in his chemistry with Marlene and likeable here with an interesting subplot and Samuel Labarthe is easily at his most comfortable at this point of the Laurence/Avril period. The chemistry between the two actually sparkles and is actually harmonious with the two very different personalities gelling far more than they did previously, again something that was a problem before.
Elodie Frenck stands out among the solid supporting cast. This is the ever irresistible Blandine Bellavoir's episode though. Her usual charm and spirit are present here, while she also shows a more dramatic side as well. Her best scene being in the police station cell.
Production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes thought, with the light heart and intrigue nicely balanced. The story, taking on the darker and more suspenseful tone that the series was adopting at this point (while still allowing for some nice light-hearted moments that gel surprisingly well, like with Laurence and Marlene), compels with good twists and surprises, with nothing being too simple or too complicated.
Overall, great. 9/10
"Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte" is the third adaptation of 'Mrs McGinty's Dead'. The others being the 1964 'Murder Most Foul' (very loose) with Margaret Rutherford and the most faithful of the three David Suchet adaptation, whereas "Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte" uses the book as a loose basic framework though with elements of the source material. All three are excellent on their own merits, so this is a case of the series where there isn't a real preference in comparison to other adaptations of the stories adapted. Found this to be a great episode, and another one of the best Laurence/Avril episodes and one of the best episodes 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie'.
Not much to object to here in "Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte", other than the slightly annoying character of the Concierge.
There is so much to recommend however. The writing for Laurence and the chemistry between him and Alice improved enormously in the later Laurence/Avril episodes, and that can be seen with "Mademoiselle Mac Ginty est Morte". Laurence is much more at ease and less obnoxious than seen before, the ill at ease obnoxiousness being a big problem with the previous Laurence/Avril episodes. Actually found him quite amusing, like in his chemistry with Marlene and likeable here with an interesting subplot and Samuel Labarthe is easily at his most comfortable at this point of the Laurence/Avril period. The chemistry between the two actually sparkles and is actually harmonious with the two very different personalities gelling far more than they did previously, again something that was a problem before.
Elodie Frenck stands out among the solid supporting cast. This is the ever irresistible Blandine Bellavoir's episode though. Her usual charm and spirit are present here, while she also shows a more dramatic side as well. Her best scene being in the police station cell.
Production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes thought, with the light heart and intrigue nicely balanced. The story, taking on the darker and more suspenseful tone that the series was adopting at this point (while still allowing for some nice light-hearted moments that gel surprisingly well, like with Laurence and Marlene), compels with good twists and surprises, with nothing being too simple or too complicated.
Overall, great. 9/10
