Regularly aired with subtitles on BBC Four, INSPECTOR MONTALBANO offers the kind of pleasures often absent from British examples of the genre. The plot zips along at a cracking pace, while taking time out to examine the eponymous hero's (Luca Zingaretti's) complicated personal life. The Sicilian locations are a decided bonus, not only in visual but also in sonic terms; it's satisfying to hear the sound of the waves in the background as Montalbano tries to make sense of a complicated case involving the murder of a young woman (Alessia Merz) while in the act of making love. The plot is full of twists and turns, involving an eccentric violinist (Sergio Fantoni), a shady-looking antiques dealer from Bologna (Giovanni Vetorazzo), and a best friend (Biancamaria D'Amato) who may or may not be on the level with Montalbano. There is frequent comic relief provided by an incompetent police officer (Angelo Russo), who continually mispronounces people's names, and a satisfyingly aggressive confrontation sequence between Montalbano and his boss (Peppino Mazzotta) whom he can't stand. Zingaretti is thoroughly convincing as the inspector, while director Alberto Sironi frequently uses close-ups of his side profile to suggest a man of hidden depths who sometimes represses his feelings in favor of solving a particular case.
4 Reviews
An entertaining second mystery for Inspector Montalbano
Tweekums19 February 2012
Warning: Spoilers
In the second of this Italian detective series the eponymous inspector is involved in a crash when his driver swerves to avoid a chicken as it crosses the road. The hit a stationary car parked outside a house but when they ring the bell nobody answers. Montalbano returns later and has a look round the house; he finds the woman who owned the car but she is dead. As he was there illegally he asks an old woman he knows to call it in then races to the scene. There is a problem though; the house is on the boundary of two police districts and the body is on the wrong side of the line. The police from the other district soon rap up the case; fatally shooting the suspect in the process. Of course Montalbano is convinced they got the wrong man; the dead man was rather simple yet the killer had taken his time to make sure no evidence remained; also why was there a violin case open at the dead woman's house if she did not play. As with most good murder mysteries there are enough suspects; the husband, the lover, somebody she had rejected or the mysterious master violin player who lived quite close and had been seen with her.
After a fine opening episode this series continues well; Luca Zingaretti is great in the lead role; managing to be funny without ever appearing to play for laughs. That isn't to suggest this isn't a proper drama though; there is a good mystery and the character clearly cares about solving the case. The conclusion is somewhat down beat but was believable and not over-dramatic. Away from the mystery the writers hadn't forgotten the unfinished business from the last episode; Montalbano visits the boy he rescued and hoped to adapt, along with his girlfriend Livia, but learns that he is happy with the family he is with and doesn't want to move away; this brought some emotion to proceedings without distracting too much from the main story. Overall I think this was a fine second episode and I look forward to seeing more episodes of this fine series.
After a fine opening episode this series continues well; Luca Zingaretti is great in the lead role; managing to be funny without ever appearing to play for laughs. That isn't to suggest this isn't a proper drama though; there is a good mystery and the character clearly cares about solving the case. The conclusion is somewhat down beat but was believable and not over-dramatic. Away from the mystery the writers hadn't forgotten the unfinished business from the last episode; Montalbano visits the boy he rescued and hoped to adapt, along with his girlfriend Livia, but learns that he is happy with the family he is with and doesn't want to move away; this brought some emotion to proceedings without distracting too much from the main story. Overall I think this was a fine second episode and I look forward to seeing more episodes of this fine series.
The Sound of Murder
TheLittleSongbird10 October 2017
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
Don't miss this one!
demodokos21 September 2023
For anyone who is unhappy with the final episode, rewatching this one should elucidate a truer understanding of why Montalbano and Livia are wrong together; more particularly why she, as a character, is completely wrong for almost anyone. She is a true comic foil. And this episode is not to be missed for a charming, albeit brief, guest role of the magnificent Sergio Fantoni.
It's also a wonderful episode that highlights the great detective abilities of Fazio, who seems to see past all of Montalbano's subterfuge.
It also highlights the very real-life issue of overlapping police authority in various areas of Italy.
All in all, utterly charming!
It's also a wonderful episode that highlights the great detective abilities of Fazio, who seems to see past all of Montalbano's subterfuge.
It also highlights the very real-life issue of overlapping police authority in various areas of Italy.
All in all, utterly charming!
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