cndiverhudsonriver Review of Detective De Luca

Detective De Luca (2008)

Unusual historical and character depth for detective series

[10/10 · 6 December 2023]

I've watched this series several times, and will again, because, like excellent short stories, each episode richly evolves the time, the place and the personalities of its second war Italian era. Want a true feel for the Italian style of life? Here it is. And the plots are human, believable, full of real life's idiosyncracy. Furthermore, you will be bowled over by the cinematography! I can't think of any other detective series in its league. Most interesting for a non-Italian in 2023 is what the series reveals, in a lot of subtile detail, about what life is like in an era when class and political fascism permeate everything. De Luca is rare in such an era because of his integrity and dedication to doing a real job as a detective. The danger of choosing such a path is presented without sentimentality. The friendship and respect between the detective and his sargent throughout the series are the leven in the loaf.