Detective Montalbano (TV Series) Il gioco degli specchi (2013) User Reviews

Hall of Mirrors

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 30 October 2013]

This episode opens with Montalbano stopping to help his beautiful new neighbour, Liliana Lombardo, when her car breaks down; he can't help fix it but he gives her a lift into town and when it becomes apparent that it may take a while to fix he offers to continue to drive her into work. When he gets to the station he is inevitably met by Catarella who is jabbering about a bomb. Nobody has been hurt and there is little damage so it is likely that it was meant as a warning; most likely to a member of one of the local mafia families. While Montalbano continues his investigation he gets closer to Liliana; it is pretty obvious that she is trying to seduce him but is that just because she is attracted to him or are her motives more sinister?

Once again Inspector Montalbano does not disappoint; providing the ideal mix of mystery, comedy and even a little romance. As always the regular cast are great and guest star Barbora Bobulova is suitably seductive as Liliana… even if it is obvious that her character is clearly up to something. To be honest I was more intrigued by her motivations than the bomb at first; the main crime plot takes over later on though as the mystery deepens and things get deadly. Regular viewers will expect a few laughs from Angelo Russo's Catarella and I'm pleased to say he is on top form here… his method of stopping Montalbano's car was hilarious!

Is everything as it seems?

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 18 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.

Even if not a high-point of the show, "Hall of Mirrors" is an episode of a very high standard as can be expected from 'Inspector Montalbano'. The mystery to me did get more interesting as it deepens, with the bomb stuff while still intriguing not faring as strongly as Montalbano and Liliana's chemistry and the darker elements of the story.

However, one always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "Hall of Mirrors" 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 scenery as always is atmospheric and the use of it very clever. 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.

As ever, there is a very good mix of humour (Catarella's stopping car method is indeed hysterically funny), tension and poignant human drama, with a story that's continually absorbing, tightly plotted, complicated without being incoherent and never illogical.

Characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me.

Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zingaretti who is a treasure in the title role, having a perfect balance of comedy and drama and playing it straight while always engaging with his material. All the other regulars turn in great work, as does an alluringly seductive Barbora Bobulova.

To conclude, great episode again. 9/10 Bethany Cox