Agatha Christie's books and numerous adaptations of them being one of my main reasons for being so fond of detective mysteries, and have been a big fan of her for most of my life. She is nicknamed the Queen of Crime for good reason. This French series loosely adapts her work, or bases itself around it, and is entertaining and charming in its own right, providing light comedy as well as engrossing mysteries.
"Un Meurtre En Sommeil", though not exact a straight up adaptation and pretty much more the basic framework, is the third version of 'Sleeping Murder', one of my favourite Christies overall and my second favourite Miss Marple book after 'A Murder is Announced'. The first being with Joan Hickson, which to me is excellent and one of the best of that series and the other being with Geraldine McEwen, which was significantly inferior and one of those didn't-know-what-to-make-of-it adaptations. This ranks second best from personal opinion, and along with "Je Ne Suis Coupable" and "Cinq Petits Cochons" it is not just one of the best Larosiere/Lampion episodes but also one of the best of the series. It's a compelling mystery that manages to be atmospheric and entertaining, with enough freshness and surprises to avoid the traps of predictability and being too safe, traps that have been present in some episodes.
Occasionally the pace could have been tighter.
While still clever, the ending lacks the unforgettable creepiness and suspense of the Joan Hickson 'Sleeping Murder' adaptation and of the original story, well done still but slightly bland in comparison.
However, visually "Un Meurtre En Sommeil" is great. The period detail and scenery are lavish. The colours are vibrant while not being drab or garish and the stylish photography complements beautifully. The music continues to match the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone without any jarring. The writing thought provokes and intrigues with the right amount of entertainment value.
The episode is a welcome return too to the more comedic elements being handled just right, it didn't feel overplayed and it didn't feel stale either. The mystery is always diverting, the story treated with respect while with enough to make it its own without being too faithful or conventional. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Nothing gratuitous here and there is a genuine creepiness at times too, especially that first vision.
Characterisation is done well and reasonably varied. The pairing of Larosiere and Lampion are a good contrasting match for each other and fascinating as characters. Larosiere is a little more interesting and have appreciated Lampion having more to do with each episode. Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci shine brightly as Larosiere and Lampion as ever and all the supporting players are well cast. Especially Jennifer Decker.
Summing up, very good. 8/10
"Un Meurtre En Sommeil", though not exact a straight up adaptation and pretty much more the basic framework, is the third version of 'Sleeping Murder', one of my favourite Christies overall and my second favourite Miss Marple book after 'A Murder is Announced'. The first being with Joan Hickson, which to me is excellent and one of the best of that series and the other being with Geraldine McEwen, which was significantly inferior and one of those didn't-know-what-to-make-of-it adaptations. This ranks second best from personal opinion, and along with "Je Ne Suis Coupable" and "Cinq Petits Cochons" it is not just one of the best Larosiere/Lampion episodes but also one of the best of the series. It's a compelling mystery that manages to be atmospheric and entertaining, with enough freshness and surprises to avoid the traps of predictability and being too safe, traps that have been present in some episodes.
Occasionally the pace could have been tighter.
While still clever, the ending lacks the unforgettable creepiness and suspense of the Joan Hickson 'Sleeping Murder' adaptation and of the original story, well done still but slightly bland in comparison.
However, visually "Un Meurtre En Sommeil" is great. The period detail and scenery are lavish. The colours are vibrant while not being drab or garish and the stylish photography complements beautifully. The music continues to match the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone without any jarring. The writing thought provokes and intrigues with the right amount of entertainment value.
The episode is a welcome return too to the more comedic elements being handled just right, it didn't feel overplayed and it didn't feel stale either. The mystery is always diverting, the story treated with respect while with enough to make it its own without being too faithful or conventional. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Nothing gratuitous here and there is a genuine creepiness at times too, especially that first vision.
Characterisation is done well and reasonably varied. The pairing of Larosiere and Lampion are a good contrasting match for each other and fascinating as characters. Larosiere is a little more interesting and have appreciated Lampion having more to do with each episode. Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci shine brightly as Larosiere and Lampion as ever and all the supporting players are well cast. Especially Jennifer Decker.
Summing up, very good. 8/10
