Detective Montalbano (TV Series) The Shape of Water (2000) User Reviews

Montalbano likes blondes

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 26 February 2012]

When a politician is found dead at a local 'outdoor brothel' it is quickly established that he died of a heart attack; still something doesn't seem quite right to the inspector. Initially it appears that everybody wants to avoid a scandal but as the case proceeds it could be that the opposite is true. A valuable necklace that belongs to the wife of another politician is found nearby and she has a reputation for sleeping around and she has the driving skills to have got him to the site by a back route. To make matters worse for him he hears that his father is seriously ill and is expected to die soon.

This was another fine episode of this Sicilian police show. Luca Zingaretti is great in the lead role; he always brings humour to the part but here he also brought a sense of pathos; both when his father died and when he realises that his actions have lead to further tragedy. Isabell Sollman also did a good job as suspect Ingrid Sjostrom who manages to catch the inspector's eye; Montalbano clearly has a thing for blondes! When the mystery is resolved it is all very tragic but well handled. I'm glad BBC4 got their hands on this series!

Perhaps a Little Too Contrived, but Entertaining Nonetheless

[l_rawjalaurence · 7/10 · 13 July 2014]

In this episode of the detective series the Inspector (Luca Zingaretti) investigates the death of a local politician, and becomes involved in a complicated tale of local rivalries, ambition and thwarted love. Among the shady characters he encounters are a smooth-as-silk lawyer Rizzo, an impatient doctor, and a Swedish woman accused of being heavily involved in the murder (Isabell Sollman). Alberto Sironi's production makes clever use of the Sicilian locations, contrasting the relative freedom of the outdoor sequences with the prison-like atmosphere of the local bourgeoisie's houses, where Montalbano pursues his investigations. Although opulently appointed, the interior sequences tend to hem in their inhabitants; a fitting metaphor for a class of people who rarely disclose their emotions, especially to someone not of their specific social class. As the episode unfolds, so the main plot-line becomes slightly lost, as Montalbano discovers that his father is dying and makes a futile journey to visit him before the old man passes away. This provides an opportunity for us to see the softer side of the inspector, but holds up the denouement slightly. In the end the inspector has to explain the case to his girlfriend Livia (Katharina Böhm) in a rather labored sequence of shot/reverse shots, almost as if director Sironi had to bring the episode to an end as speedily as possible. Nonetheless there are some strong performances, not least from Zingaretti and Peppino Mazzotta as his sidekick Facia.

Faithful to Book but More Conventional in Tone

[richlandwoman · 7/10 · 28 November 2021]

Except for the brief added subplot involving Montalbano's father, and the elimination of a female coworker role, this episode follows the book very closely. But the direction is a bit bland, with some of the spikiness in the book's relationships becoming a bit too cute and friendly at times, even when the dialogue is nearly identical. Decent, and worth seeing for the location work, but slightly disappointing.

Very well shaped

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 10 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.

The previous two episodes from the first season, "The Sandwich Thief" and "The Sound of the Violin", are excellent. So is the Season 2 opener "The Shape of Water", for exactly the same strengths/reasons as the previous two episodes (hence the reiteration). The show is settling very nicely in the writing and atmosphere, more than in the previous two episodes. The denouement is tragic, intense and poignant, though how things are revealed is a touch laboured and contrived. There is really not much, if anything, wrong otherwise.

As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "The Shape of Water" 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 taut and tight with some beautifully balanced and very funny humour and Montalbano's very complicated personal life is portrayed very touchingly, allowing us to see a softer side to him which was great to see and makes him even more interesting than previously. 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.

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 supporting characters intrigue too, some wonderfully shady, especially Rizzo.

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 episodes and Peppino Mazzotta relishes his role again. Pietro Montandon is particularly good of the support acting as Rizzo.

Overall, 'Inspector Montalbano' keeps going from strength to strength in yet another excellent episode. 9/10 Bethany Cox