This episode of the French series "Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie" adapts the Hercule Poirot novel "Sad Cypress", so it has the misfortune of setting itself up for comparison with one of the finest entries in the David Suchet "Poirot" series; in that comparison it pales. The main story is done well enough, stays - I think - very close to the original plotting, and even has an atypical resolution to a potential love affair instead of the usual fairy-tale-ish "and they all lived happily ever after". But there is a subplot about Inspector Lampion being forced by Superintendent Larosière to disguise himself as a woman, and the two of them working undercover as husband-and-wife, that takes up a lot of screen time; this is more awkward than funny, and of course not convincing for a moment. The screenwriters could have found a better way to place the detectives at the scene of the crime(s). **1/2 out of 4.
Les petits meurtres d'Agatha Christie (TV Series)
Je ne suis pas coupable (2012)
User Reviews
Review this title2 Reviews
Cross-dressing subplot detracts from well-done main story
gridoon202417 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Sad Cypress
TheLittleSongbird26 January 2019
It was Agatha Christie's, known as the Queen of Crime for good reason, books and numerous adaptations of them that makes me especially fond of detective mysteries, and have been a big fan of her for most of my life. 'Les Petits Meutres D'Agatha Christie' is a French series that adapted loosely Christie's work and is essentially Agatha Christie with a French light comedy twist. On its own terms, a better way to judge, it is fascinating and charming light-hearted entertainment with intriguing stories.
Up to this early stage of the series, 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' was very solid but a couple of episodes were better than others, though with only "La Maison Du Peril" being a disappointment. Personally find "Je Ne Suis Pas Coupable", loosely based on 'Sad Cypress' (very fond of this story and it was adapted brilliantly as one of the David Suchet Poirot adaptations, and one of the standouts of that series), one of the best episodes of the series to me and definitely of the Larosiere and Lampion period, the best up to this point of the series too. There are a lot of recognisable elements here while with enough fresh touches to stop things from feeling too safe or predictable.
"Je Ne Suis Pas Coupable" has very little wrong, though maybe it could have gotten to the point a little quicker than it did. Do agree that the disguise subplot had moments of awkwardness.
However, "Je Ne Suis Pa Coupable" is great on a visual front, the period detail and scenery are lavish but a great job is also done evoking the necessary sinister enough atmosphere. The vibrant but never over-saturated or garish colours and stylish photography complement beautifully. The music continues to match the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone without any jarring. The writing thought provokes and intrigues with the right amount of entertainment value.
For me this was the first time in the series where the comedic elements felt just right, didn't feel much staleness here or that it was overdone. The mystery is always diverting, the very clever final solution being respectful even with some playing around. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Any brutality doesn't feel just there for the sake of it or used cheaply.
Characterisation continues to be more varied, even if some characters are still more interesting than others. The pairing of Larosiere and Lampion is already very well settled and the two are a good contrasting match for each other and fascinating as characters. Larosiere tends to be the more interesting character, but do find myself rooting for Lampion more and really appreciated that he gets a lot more to do here than he did in the previous episodes and in a way that didn't meander or get repetitive. The acting is excellent from Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci and all the supporting players are well cast.
Concluding, great episode and one of the series' best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
Up to this early stage of the series, 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' was very solid but a couple of episodes were better than others, though with only "La Maison Du Peril" being a disappointment. Personally find "Je Ne Suis Pas Coupable", loosely based on 'Sad Cypress' (very fond of this story and it was adapted brilliantly as one of the David Suchet Poirot adaptations, and one of the standouts of that series), one of the best episodes of the series to me and definitely of the Larosiere and Lampion period, the best up to this point of the series too. There are a lot of recognisable elements here while with enough fresh touches to stop things from feeling too safe or predictable.
"Je Ne Suis Pas Coupable" has very little wrong, though maybe it could have gotten to the point a little quicker than it did. Do agree that the disguise subplot had moments of awkwardness.
However, "Je Ne Suis Pa Coupable" is great on a visual front, the period detail and scenery are lavish but a great job is also done evoking the necessary sinister enough atmosphere. The vibrant but never over-saturated or garish colours and stylish photography complement beautifully. The music continues to match the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone without any jarring. The writing thought provokes and intrigues with the right amount of entertainment value.
For me this was the first time in the series where the comedic elements felt just right, didn't feel much staleness here or that it was overdone. The mystery is always diverting, the very clever final solution being respectful even with some playing around. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Any brutality doesn't feel just there for the sake of it or used cheaply.
Characterisation continues to be more varied, even if some characters are still more interesting than others. The pairing of Larosiere and Lampion is already very well settled and the two are a good contrasting match for each other and fascinating as characters. Larosiere tends to be the more interesting character, but do find myself rooting for Lampion more and really appreciated that he gets a lot more to do here than he did in the previous episodes and in a way that didn't meander or get repetitive. The acting is excellent from Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci and all the supporting players are well cast.
Concluding, great episode and one of the series' best. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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