The Lemon Fool

We watched the first one of these last night....

A slightly odd concept initially, although an explanation of the 2 types of French judges (just after we'd Googled it) helped, plot was OK, script not too bad.

But the acting - oh dear. Not since Spotty dog was alive have I seen anything so wooden. These are pretty well known and established actors - Roger Allam, Patrica Hodge (who admittedy wasn't entirely terrible), but it was almost like they'd struggled to get a decent supporting cast and asked the main players to dumb it down a bit.

It's certainly no "Death in Paradise".

Paul

Mrs L liked the first one but I couldn't quite come to terms with English actorts (the whole cast) playing French characters in France but speaking English.

But maybe the mainstream TV channel didn't think its audience would be able to cope with French actors speaking French but with substitles?

I gave up after the first episode. Casual viewers could easily have been mistaken for thinking that this was yet another crime drama set in a British university city, especially given how the lead character was very much like a British detective.

I found myself comparing it with another recent British-made TV series set in continental Europe; "Signora Volpe", which is set in Italy (it's on Acorn TV, so it will probably turn up on terrestrial TV in a couple of years). Here when there aren't any Brits in the scene the dialogue is in Italian with English subtitles ("everything sounds better in Italian"), the show has a very strong Italian feel, better writing and a stronger cast, particularly the lead (Emilia Fox) and the local police captain (Giovanni Cirfiera). Trailer below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrC7wn_tqYQ

I say bring back Midsomer Murders sooner rather than later!

Laughton wrote:Mrs L liked the first one but I couldn't quite come to terms with English actorts (the whole cast) playing French characters in France but speaking English.

But maybe the mainstream TV channel didn't think its audience would be able to cope with French actors speaking French but with substitles?

It seemed to work well in Allo Allo

Tried one episode. Couldn't finish it - incredibly wooden and irritating.
Come back Death in Paradise!

Agreed. Lasted 15-20 minutes. Wooden is a good description.

Could not believe that this was a professional production. Lasted 10 minutes never to return.

To be fair - we persevered and episode 2 was better.

I came in on Episode 3, which I quite enjoyed. Sod the wooden acting of minor characters - I was far more interested in the wonderful backgrounds. Methinks I'll try one more episode before I make up my mind.

Eb.

2nd rate compared to a typical BBC drama
won't be wasting my time again

Thoroughly enjoyed it, it helped because we love the area and have enjoyed holidays there and it had Roger Allum in it.

R6

Rhyd6 wrote:Thoroughly enjoyed it, it helped because we love the area and have enjoyed holidays there and it had Roger Allum in it.

R6

Sounds like an eventful holiday if he was there

You couldn't call your kid Roger Allum these days; sounds like an balm for intimate chafing.