I watched this series back to back as part of the London Film Festival. Whilst it had some nice touches it most definitely could have done with some serious editing. The story covers a number of gruesome and seemingly interconnected murders in a small town in Northern France. These are investigated by a pair of ineffectual policemen who adopt a number of quirky, but not necessarily humorous,mannerisms. The series also gives a great deal of attention to the lives of some of the local children. The series captures the geography very well but one feels there are too many shots that are not necessary or over long. Some of the more farcical moments are similarly overplayed and they tend to peter out. The plot is such that the murders are incidental.Life generally carries on with little or no impact or histrionics.The series struggles to know what it is and veers between light comedy,social drama and murder mystery without ever coming off the fence. The introduction of a storyline concerning immigration,racial and religious intolerance almost halfway through is also not given the attention it deserves. The death of Mohammed also illustrates the general indifference to life that one wonders if there was much point including it as it's never revisited. The depiction of France and French society is also pretty stark with casual overt racism demonstrated a number of times. The climax,if it could be called such a thing,is also unsatisfying with most plot lines left hanging. It felt at the end that this destination could have been reached far quicker and with more effect.
Review of Li'l Quinquin
