...but I'm intrigued by the idea. I hope these are good adaptations, it's a property that's due for a refresh on TV, and ITV could use a quality detective series with a similar tone and feel as the dearly-departed Foyle's War.
shareAgreed, on both counts. I was thoroughly surprised when I read the news that Atkinson was the new british Maigret, and my initial reaction was one of disbelief. But then I paused to think and became intrigued. Sure, Atkinson is mainly regarded as a comedy actor, but he is an actor first and foremost. So, I'm willing to give him a chance, even if I never considered him as a possible Maigret - not even remotely.
As to the quality of these adaptations, I really hope they're good, but I have to confess my fears regarding that matter, considering Stewart Harcourt is writing them. I mean, he's the man who wrote two of the worse adaptations ever of an Agatha Christie novel: "By the Pricking of my Thumbs" and "Murder on the Orient Express". I hated what he did on both cases, absolutely, positively hated it. I hope he makes a better job this time, I really do.
Harcourt's track record is pretty woeful overall (remember 'Jericho' with Robert Lindsay?) and although I'm happy to be proven wrong, Atkinson as Maigret seems like the worst piece of miscasting I've heard of in a long, long time. Whatever happened to Maigret being gruff and burly?
I fear that ITV are making the same mistake that they did with Simenon back in the early 90's (and that version at least had the saving grace of a well-cast Michael Gambon). He wasn't Christie or Conan Doyle, the stories weren't whodunits or period thrillers; they are claustrophobic stories about human nature and consist mainly of people sitting in rooms talking, one of of whom sooner or later admits to being a murderer. The reason the BBC 1960's series worked so well is because the limitations of early studio television actually became strengths when paired with this type of material.
I am sory,but who's (not)bright idea was it to cast Rowan Atkinson as Maigret?
There are so many actors who could play Maigret better,I just hope the two episodes listed are all there is going to be.
Ludicrous!
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I'd wait until watching before making judgement, really looking forward to this, I will certainly give it a try :)
shareI just watched the trailer, here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QLxIBkewLw , and I have to say it looks good. Maybe a little too fast paced, since I always thought from the novels that a good adaptation should be slow and atmospheric. But I'm intrigued. One thing, though: every time I saw Atkinson's face I thought of Bean. It's going to be difficult to see him as Maigret.
shareI'm actually wondering if he's going to play it so straight that we crave a bit of subtle humor here and there.
shareJust watched it, brilliant understated performance by Atkinson - more please.
shareHe was OK.
Pretty good plot.
One thing that bugged me - all the cops looked archetypally English which took away much of the sense that we were in Paris.
You're my wife now.
What bugged me was this proved to be twice as bad as I expected.
For starters the awful mistake of trying to Drag Inspector Abberline in to this was a BIG BIG mistake.
This story was taking place in 1955 and Inspector Abberline Died in 1929 aged 89.
One of my Ancestors worked with Inspector Abberline on the Ripper Murders.
And Attended his funeral in Bournemouth.
The Acting was awful .
The only good thing was detectives did resemble French Detective of that period.
As I've pointed out in another thread, the allusion to Abberline was a historical one, just as a reference to Sherlock Holmes would have been.
shareQuite enjoyed it,reading a few of the newspaper reviewers they would have preferred a Paris based Fast and Furious
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Hello, I am French and it happened that I have read all Maigret's plus other Simenon's novels, read and watched on TV.
Just by curiosity I have downloaded a couple of weeks ago the 2 first episodes of Maigret.
I am absolutely amazed of the acting by Rowan Atkinson. Just plain brilliant!
I was staring at him trying to find Mr Bean's face and I just couldn't. I didn't want that either. So, having seen a few different actors play Maigret but only having seen Rowan Atkinson as English actor playing him, I am fully pleased to see him in such interpretation. It is a real delight to see the talent to switch from Mr Bean, which drives me nuts after a few sketches, to Maigret.
I hope there will be more episodes, and I will keep looking for them.
Congratulations Mr Atkinson!
Xavier Maury
I didnt think he could play this role at all, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought he was great in it.
My image of him as an actor was probably tainted as i have only seen him in overplayed comedic roles such as mr bean.
He played the part beautifully. If you can't move past your own hangups, those are your issues. That's like saying you can't watch Sly in other movies because you only think of Rocky.
shareWell, I have seen the film. And I liked it. It's not a masterpiece and certainly not the best adaptation of Maigret I've seen, but it's good enough to entertain and satisfy those who missed watching Maigret. It succeds in recreating the claustrophobic atmosphere of Simenon's novels, and even if the screenplay is a bit uneven at times, the overall result is very good.
The performances by the cast are all above average, but it's Rowan Atkinson who steels the screen everytime he's on it. As I said before, his casting as Maigret came as an absolute surprise to me, as I would never have thought of him as a possible Maigret. But the truth is he made the part his own. So much so that at a certain point I forgot the actor and saw only the character. Very, very good performance by Atkinson, proving he's much more than just a great comedian, he's a great actor.
I will certainly be looking forward for the next film in the series, "Maigret's Dead Man".
I agree! How happy to see Mr A finally break free from comedy and be given the opportunity to show his worth as an actor. His measured, almost sublime portrayal of the much loved Frenchman, complemented by a top lot of supporting actors/actresses, make this a treat.
shareI totally agree . He's really talented, convincing. At first I saw his face I wanted to laugh but soon he took me into the role and i forgot about the funny version of him and believed he was the smart detective.
He has a very charming voice, it's a shame that he played silence all these years .
It actually worked. I liked him in the role. Can't wait for the next movie.
#The X-Files #Breaking Bad #Lost #Hannibal #Fringe #River #Utopia #Twin Peaks
Pleasantly surprised with Mr Atkinson portrayal of character Maigret, as have only ever seen him playing comical characters.
Looking forward to later on in the year for the next instalment.
"Look upward... and share the wonders I have seen" John Crichton, Farscape
having watched it, I still wouldn't consider rowan Atkinson as maigret. i think Michael gambon was better.
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