Love detective mystery dramas, particularly those from the UK and US ('Inspector Morse', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Foyle's War', 'Inspector George Gently', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Law and Order', 'Criminal Minds', 'Monk' and 'Murder She Wrote' for examples,, and non-English/American ones (i.e. The Swedish 'Wallander' and the Danish 'The Killing') also fascinate me.
'Inspector Montalbano' is one of the best and most entertaining examples. It is not easy breathing freshness into a well-worn genre but 'Inspector Montalbano' manages to do so with aplomb. Watching 'Inspector Montalbano' is like eating a delicious Italian meal that immensely satisfies and leaves you wanting more. There may be very familiar tropes, but in a way it's inevitable and doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all.
After an excellent first episode in "The Sandwich Thief", the high quality of 'Inspector Montalbano' continues in an episode that is just as good if not better. Things do feel more settled here, like how the different elements are balanced, if occasionally with a finding its feet feel (understandable for so early on). As has been said, the final solution is downbeat and to me while compelling and tense it didn't quite mesh with everything else, but maybe that's just me.
As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "The Sound of the Violin" is beautifully shot and the scenery is stunning, making those who've never been to Italy want to book a holiday there as soon as possible and is a treat for anybody who loves all things Italian. The music is never over-bearing or low-key with a nice atmosphere and flavour, a lot of it is very cleverly used. The sound effects are remarkably authentic.
Writing is tauter and tighter here and infused with beautifully balanced and hilarious humour and relatable human drama (namely with Montalbano's very complicated personal life). The subtitles are not hard to follow and the story is compelling and atmospheric, suitably challenging the viewer with some suitably twisty elements while still being logical and not being convoluted.
The characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me and the scene-stealing Catarella (hilarious comic relief but more than that). The direction is tight yet controlled.
Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zigaretti who is a treasure in the title role. Angelo Russo's comic timing is a refreshing and always perfectly timed joy and the supporting cast are strong. Katharina Bohm is just as good here as she was in the previous episode and Peppino Mazzotta relishes the role of the boss one loves to dislike.
In summary, excellent second episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Inspector Montalbano' is one of the best and most entertaining examples. It is not easy breathing freshness into a well-worn genre but 'Inspector Montalbano' manages to do so with aplomb. Watching 'Inspector Montalbano' is like eating a delicious Italian meal that immensely satisfies and leaves you wanting more. There may be very familiar tropes, but in a way it's inevitable and doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all.
After an excellent first episode in "The Sandwich Thief", the high quality of 'Inspector Montalbano' continues in an episode that is just as good if not better. Things do feel more settled here, like how the different elements are balanced, if occasionally with a finding its feet feel (understandable for so early on). As has been said, the final solution is downbeat and to me while compelling and tense it didn't quite mesh with everything else, but maybe that's just me.
As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "The Sound of the Violin" is beautifully shot and the scenery is stunning, making those who've never been to Italy want to book a holiday there as soon as possible and is a treat for anybody who loves all things Italian. The music is never over-bearing or low-key with a nice atmosphere and flavour, a lot of it is very cleverly used. The sound effects are remarkably authentic.
Writing is tauter and tighter here and infused with beautifully balanced and hilarious humour and relatable human drama (namely with Montalbano's very complicated personal life). The subtitles are not hard to follow and the story is compelling and atmospheric, suitably challenging the viewer with some suitably twisty elements while still being logical and not being convoluted.
The characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me and the scene-stealing Catarella (hilarious comic relief but more than that). The direction is tight yet controlled.
Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zigaretti who is a treasure in the title role. Angelo Russo's comic timing is a refreshing and always perfectly timed joy and the supporting cast are strong. Katharina Bohm is just as good here as she was in the previous episode and Peppino Mazzotta relishes the role of the boss one loves to dislike.
In summary, excellent second episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox