As has been said more than once, 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' is uneven and not ideal for fans wanting straight up adaptations of "The Queen of Crime's" work, when they are loose adaptations and use the respective stories as a frame work. It is though to me very enjoyable and very intriguing, with a lot to like for those who love murder mysteries, foreign language and mystery mixed with comedy. Christie fans should find some entertainment value, providing they know what to expect.
There are three previous adaptations of 'A Caribbean Mystery', of which "Albert Major Parlait Trop" takes inspiration from. The book is not one of Christie's best, when it comes to Miss Marple books there is much more preference for 'A Murder is Announced' and 'Sleeping Murder' in particular, but none of Christie's work is unreadable and 'A Caribbean Mystery' is certainly not that. With the previous adaptations, didn't care for the Helen Hayes version, the Joan Hickson (my favourite Miss Marple by far) one was solid if at times dull and the Julia McKenzie version fared the best with a few changes that were actually rare improvements.
Of the Laurence/Avril episodes, "Albert Major Parlait Trop" is to me one of the best. Also found it one of the best of the whole of 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie'.
Perhaps a little more suspense wouldn't have gone amiss and would have liked to have seen more of Laurence and Alice together when their chemistry had improved so much.
Laurence has come on hugely as a character, did not care for him to begin with finding him obnoxious and stiff. Now he seems much more at ease and the chemistry with the rest of the cast is much more natural and in harmony. Alice is a joyful charmer as always and Marlene continues to be a scene stealer. Instead of being an irritant or a bland presence, found that Timothee spiced things up quite nicely. All the acting is very good, particularly from Blandine Bellavoir and Elodie Frenck.
Expectedly, the production values are typically handsome and so lovingly recreated, makes one nostalgic. The beautiful photography complements expertly. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes thought, with the light heart and intrigue nicely balanced. The story charms and amuses with some nice twisty turns without over-complicating the mystery. Over simplicity and convolution are never problems here.
Summarising, excellent episode. 9/10
There are three previous adaptations of 'A Caribbean Mystery', of which "Albert Major Parlait Trop" takes inspiration from. The book is not one of Christie's best, when it comes to Miss Marple books there is much more preference for 'A Murder is Announced' and 'Sleeping Murder' in particular, but none of Christie's work is unreadable and 'A Caribbean Mystery' is certainly not that. With the previous adaptations, didn't care for the Helen Hayes version, the Joan Hickson (my favourite Miss Marple by far) one was solid if at times dull and the Julia McKenzie version fared the best with a few changes that were actually rare improvements.
Of the Laurence/Avril episodes, "Albert Major Parlait Trop" is to me one of the best. Also found it one of the best of the whole of 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie'.
Perhaps a little more suspense wouldn't have gone amiss and would have liked to have seen more of Laurence and Alice together when their chemistry had improved so much.
Laurence has come on hugely as a character, did not care for him to begin with finding him obnoxious and stiff. Now he seems much more at ease and the chemistry with the rest of the cast is much more natural and in harmony. Alice is a joyful charmer as always and Marlene continues to be a scene stealer. Instead of being an irritant or a bland presence, found that Timothee spiced things up quite nicely. All the acting is very good, particularly from Blandine Bellavoir and Elodie Frenck.
Expectedly, the production values are typically handsome and so lovingly recreated, makes one nostalgic. The beautiful photography complements expertly. The music matches the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. Much of the writing is fun and probes thought, with the light heart and intrigue nicely balanced. The story charms and amuses with some nice twisty turns without over-complicating the mystery. Over simplicity and convolution are never problems here.
Summarising, excellent episode. 9/10
