Reviews

Leave it to the Italians to figure out how to portray Nero Wolfe. The American versions of this classic crime-solving recluse tend to portray Wolfe as morbidly obese - Jabba the Hutt with brains. This series, set in Rome, casts Francesco Pannofino as an overweight gourmand with definite cholesterol problems, but limber enough to be a step ahead of the criminals and the police in unveiling the murderer. His legs, eyes, and ears to the outer world is private investigator Archie Goodwin. Portrayed by Pietro Sermonti, this Archie is modernized and often steals the show. He still flirts with the ladies and sleeps with some of them, but respects their boundaries. You wouldn't think that transplanting Wolfe and Archie to Rome would work, but it does. The plots keep you guessing, the acting is excellent, you will salivate over the gourmet dishes, and there is the fantastic scenery of Rome as a stunning backdrop. Too bad they only made one season of this excellent series.