The Bruno Cremer "Maigret" series is exceptional and reminds me of those great British books-to-television mystery series from the 80s/90s such as Jeremy Brett's Sherlock Holmes, David Suchet's Hercule Poirot, and (my favorite) John Thaw's Inspector Morse. What I enjoy most about the Cremer series is how well it captures the atmosphere--from bars and bistros and apartments and mansions to the wet pavement of the streets to the peripheral noises to the varied dialogue to the quiet moments--that the author George Simenon brings to his books (both his "Maigret" titles and his other novels--I've read them all). One doesn't read Simenon's Maigret mysteries simply for setup, epiphanous moment, and denouement. I would say the same is true of watching this series. Getting to and finding out "Who did it?" matters, yes, but only a bit. The best parts are the lingering moments in between.
One wise decision made in developing this Maigret series is that all episodes are set in the late 40s through the 50s. Simenon's Maigret novels span across several decades (30s - early 70s) and the change in ages, fashions, cars, and architecture would have been a challenge. And of course, there would have been the war years and the German occupation of Paris.
"Maigret and the Burglar's Wife" is not exactly about a burglar's wife. Yes, she's a character and an important one but she's not the centerpiece. Her husband the burglar was on a job, she tells Maigret, and stumbled on a body, she says, and it's clear the person was murdered, she claims. And now her husband the burglar is in hiding. From this odd conversation we the viewers are soon immersed into the lives of a middle-aged dentist and his mother. Michael Lonsdale perfectly captures the isolated, seemingly emotionless dentist Serre. As Maigret probes, Serre and his mother reveal little. Was there a murder? There is no body. If there is a murder, then what possible motive might there have been? Maigret chips away gathering bits and pieces to determine what did happen . . . If something happened. This episode remains true to the book in both plot and mood. I must tell you that there is no action but lots of conversations. But watching Cremer as Maigret question Lonsdale as Serre is worth your time. These are two actors who understand that you don't have to chew up the scenery to captivate a viewer. (Oh, and I can't resist: One reviewer asks repeatedly "Where is Lucas?" Well, I think he is mentioned once in the book upon which this episode is based, so his not being in this episode is OK.)
One wise decision made in developing this Maigret series is that all episodes are set in the late 40s through the 50s. Simenon's Maigret novels span across several decades (30s - early 70s) and the change in ages, fashions, cars, and architecture would have been a challenge. And of course, there would have been the war years and the German occupation of Paris.
"Maigret and the Burglar's Wife" is not exactly about a burglar's wife. Yes, she's a character and an important one but she's not the centerpiece. Her husband the burglar was on a job, she tells Maigret, and stumbled on a body, she says, and it's clear the person was murdered, she claims. And now her husband the burglar is in hiding. From this odd conversation we the viewers are soon immersed into the lives of a middle-aged dentist and his mother. Michael Lonsdale perfectly captures the isolated, seemingly emotionless dentist Serre. As Maigret probes, Serre and his mother reveal little. Was there a murder? There is no body. If there is a murder, then what possible motive might there have been? Maigret chips away gathering bits and pieces to determine what did happen . . . If something happened. This episode remains true to the book in both plot and mood. I must tell you that there is no action but lots of conversations. But watching Cremer as Maigret question Lonsdale as Serre is worth your time. These are two actors who understand that you don't have to chew up the scenery to captivate a viewer. (Oh, and I can't resist: One reviewer asks repeatedly "Where is Lucas?" Well, I think he is mentioned once in the book upon which this episode is based, so his not being in this episode is OK.)