With Agatha Christie being one of my favourite authors for quite a long time now, being someone who likes foreign language detective/mystery series/dramas and as someone who's studied and sings in French and loves the language, 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' appealed to me straightaway. It is an uneven series but it is interesting and entertaining mostly and it was nice to see something different without disgracing the source material.
The second of two adaptations of 'Cards on the Table', the first being the David Suchet one as part of the Poirot series, "Cartes Sur Table" was great fun. For me, it is one of the best Laurence/Avril episodes, their first close to great one, the best episode since "Un Meurtre En Sommeil" (the Larossiere/Lampion version of 'Sleeping Murder') and among the better episodes of the whole series. Of the two 'Cards on the Table' adaptations, from personal opinion this is the better one. The Suchet version was quite good on the most part until the incredibly disappointing last half an hour, which was rushed, over-stuffed and filled with senseless plot changes.
"Cartes Sur Table" does not have an awful lot wrong with it, though maybe it could have gotten going a little sooner.
All the strengths seen with much of 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' can be seen here in "Cartes Sur Table". There are also improvements. Two of which being the character of Laurence and his and Alice's chemistry. Laurence is much more at ease and less obnoxious than seen before, the ill at ease obnoxiousness being a big problem with the previous Laurence/Avril episodes. Actually found him quite amusing and likeable here and Samuel Labarthe is easily at his most comfortable at this point of the Laurence/Avril period. The chemistry between the two actually sparkles and is actually harmonious with the two very different personalities gelling far more than they did previously, again something that was a problem before.
Further improvements are the best supporting cast in a while, with all giving never less than solid performances that suit their characters perfectly, and that it is the funniest episode in a while, one of the series' funniest and a contender for the funniest Laurence Avril episode. The Alice testifying is indeed a highlight.
Blandine Bellavoir is delightful as Alice, one of the few consistent strengths of the Laurence/Avril period, so the ones that were good always without exception. The character was always a much needed breath of fresh air, and Bellavoir's charm, spirit and comic timing is irresistible. he production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. 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 compels with good twists and surprises, with nothing being too simple or too complicated.
Overall, great. 9/10
The second of two adaptations of 'Cards on the Table', the first being the David Suchet one as part of the Poirot series, "Cartes Sur Table" was great fun. For me, it is one of the best Laurence/Avril episodes, their first close to great one, the best episode since "Un Meurtre En Sommeil" (the Larossiere/Lampion version of 'Sleeping Murder') and among the better episodes of the whole series. Of the two 'Cards on the Table' adaptations, from personal opinion this is the better one. The Suchet version was quite good on the most part until the incredibly disappointing last half an hour, which was rushed, over-stuffed and filled with senseless plot changes.
"Cartes Sur Table" does not have an awful lot wrong with it, though maybe it could have gotten going a little sooner.
All the strengths seen with much of 'Les Petits Meurtres D'Agatha Christie' can be seen here in "Cartes Sur Table". There are also improvements. Two of which being the character of Laurence and his and Alice's chemistry. Laurence is much more at ease and less obnoxious than seen before, the ill at ease obnoxiousness being a big problem with the previous Laurence/Avril episodes. Actually found him quite amusing and likeable here and Samuel Labarthe is easily at his most comfortable at this point of the Laurence/Avril period. The chemistry between the two actually sparkles and is actually harmonious with the two very different personalities gelling far more than they did previously, again something that was a problem before.
Further improvements are the best supporting cast in a while, with all giving never less than solid performances that suit their characters perfectly, and that it is the funniest episode in a while, one of the series' funniest and a contender for the funniest Laurence Avril episode. The Alice testifying is indeed a highlight.
Blandine Bellavoir is delightful as Alice, one of the few consistent strengths of the Laurence/Avril period, so the ones that were good always without exception. The character was always a much needed breath of fresh air, and Bellavoir's charm, spirit and comic timing is irresistible. he production values are handsome and makes one nostalgic for the period with it being so lovingly recreated. The beautiful photography complements more than nicely. 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 compels with good twists and surprises, with nothing being too simple or too complicated.
Overall, great. 9/10
