Tag: subtitled

JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE – Review

CAMILLE RUTHERFORD as Agathe, PABLO PAULY as Felix in ‘Jane Austen Wrecked
My Life.’ Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

A French film about English author Jane Austen? No, a delightful contemporary French comedy, partly in English, about a young French would-be author who admires Jane Austen but who can’t seem to finish any of the novels she herself starts writing. However, an invitation to a writers’ retreat at the Austen family home in England raises hopes that her writer’s block situation could change, as well as the possibility of bigger changes in her quiet life.

With far more emphasis on the comedy side, writer/director Laura Piani has concocted a clever, contemporary, bi-lingual comedy romance centered on Agathe Robinson (a wonderful Camille Rutherford), a young half-French, half-English woman who works in Parisian bookstore that specializes in English literature, where her ease in both French and English a plus. Agathe loves her job at the bookstore but she is stuck in a rut, as an author and in life. The aspiring writer, who adores Jane Austen and wants to emulate her, long ago gave up on love, seeing herself as being like the lead character in “Persuasion,” a “faded flower” and “old maid.”

There is no need to love Jane Austen, or even know much about her, to enjoy this treat, although it is a bit more fun if you do. JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE is a comedy rather than a romantic comedy, because it is actually funny, and smartly, cleverly so, unlike the typical formulaic rom com, more in the vein of great classic comedies like “THE AWFUL TRUTH and PHILADELPHIA STORY, from an era when the best comedies were romantic comedies instead of the reverse.

Agathe lives with her beloved sister Cheryl (Annabelle Lengronne) and six-year-old nephew. Her sister is supportive and encouraging, if teasingly so, to Agathe, who is still traumatized after surviving the car accident that killed their parents. Generally, Agathe has a happy, if limited life, with her sister and nephew, although she is frustrated that she can’t seem to finish any of those novels she starts.

Her best friend, and co-worker the bookstore, is Felix (Pablo Pauly), a playful kidder who frequently hangs out at Agathe’s house with her sister and nephew. Felix has no girlfriend but has a string of romances where he strings women along – “bread-crumbing” them with texts – while seems unable to commit to just one. After sneaking a peek at her latest unfinished novel, Felix secretly signs up best friend Agathe for a writer’s retreat at the family home of Jane Austen in England.

When that surprise invitation arrives, Agathe is reluctant to go but is persuaded by her sister. She begins to hope the two-week retreat will help her break her writer’s block with her latest book. Felix drives her to the boat, even though Agathe is nervous to even be in a car again after the accident, having avoided them ever since. Felix playfully teases her on the way, then impulsively kisses her before sending her off to the ferry.

Arriving on the other side, Agathe is greeted by her driver, Oliver (Charlie Anson), who turns out to be the great-great-great-great-great grandnephew of Jane Austen, and the son of the couple who run the writers’ retreat. Oliver is an unfriendly, unpleasant, brooding Darcy type who, unfortunately for Agathe, drives a sports car. He is a teacher of contemporary literature and actually doesn’t care for the novels of his famous relative. Arriving, after some car trouble, at the Austen mansion, Agathe is charmed by her hostess Beth, who speaks French as well as English too, and her quirky host Todd () who might be in the early stages of dementia, and meets the other resident authors. She is told that the retreat will end with a ball in period costume, and a reading of each author’s writing during the retreat, a daunting prospect for Agathe.

Camille Rutherford is completely charming as Agathe. The cast is marvelous in fact, but Rutherford is particularly excellent, exuding both an appealing charm and an underlying depth and sadness linked to the traumatic deaths of her parents and her frustrations in life. Her Agathe is afraid of change yet on one level, she knows she must change, in order to become the writer she hopes to be. Pablo Pauly is silly, funny, sometimes goofy as Felix, who teases Agathe relentlessly while still projecting how much he cares about her. As Oliver, Charlie Anson is prickly and difficult at first, with an air of arrogance, but he softens as we learn more about his situation with his parents and his own romantic history. The rest of the cast are all very good, and director Laura Piani has no problem putting them into comically dignity-dinging situations.

The smart script, the wonderful performances, and Piani’s smooth direction are all supported by the beautiful sets and locations, dreamy photography, and a score that skillfully mixes modern tunes and classical selections for the perfect musical accompaniment.

Smart, clever, literary and sometimes a bit bawdy, JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE is just fun for readers of all stripes. The Jane Austen parallels are plentiful, like the author who lives with a beloved sister and has little interest in romance for herself, but subtle, as are the references to Austen novels. Those references keep us guessing as to which Austen novel this contemporary author might be in, while director Laura Piani keeps us laughing and charmed with the whole idea. While the romantic comedy genre has a dismal reputation for being dull and formulaic, JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE’s delightful burst of fresh air and literary fun is the entertaining exception.

With 2025 being the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, films and other productions referencing Austen seems to be increasingly everywhere in recent years. Some of them are swooningly romantic or tiresome in their humorless adoration of the author, in a kind of idol worship that appeals only to the most devoted fans, ironically the opposite of Austen’s own brilliantly funny, even biting social commentary. JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE is far different, one that discusses literary concepts and reflects on the life of writers generally, and built around a contemporary author, captures much more of the real feel of Austen’s writing. Any book lover is sure to enjoy this clever, playful comedy.

JANE AUSTEN WRECKED MY LIFE opens in theaters on Friday, May 30, 2025.

RATING: 3 out of 4 stars

“Chaos” – TV Series Review

A scene from Danish TV series CHAOS. Courtesy of Viaplay

The Danish dramedy ”Chaos” (originally “Kaos”) offers a change of pace from the murder and crime fare I’ve been mainly covering. The title refers to a few elements of upheaval in the lives of spouses Lise (Katrine Greis-Rosenthal) and Martin (Hadi Ka-Koush). They’ve been hosting a popular morning TV talk show for a decade. But new management wants a younger demographic and gives their show the axe. Lise wheedles the incoming boss into granting them a month to generate a big upswing in total viewers, with emphasis on a high percentage of those treasured 18 – 24 year-old eyeballs.

The setup seems perfect for a satire on the TV industry, how decisions are made and how they affect everyone involved on both sides of the screen. But they don’t keep primary focus there. Lise’s desperate scramble for new ideas to reach those market-share goals is enmeshed with parental issues and marital discord, including the temptation of a potential new lover. The dark humor of the lengths they go to in trying to meet the deadline is unfortunately diluted by melodrama – some of which makes little sense, in context.

Lise is ambitious and zealous in trying new ideas that might preserve her turf, but not the virago of other TV personalities like Nicole Kidman’s deceptively devious character in 1995’s TO DIE FOR. 

Katrine’s performance is admirable, considering the multiple facets of a persona she has to portray. The proceedings are boosted by several supporting players – notably Silje Havmoller Schmidt as Sarah, her  bright, loyal intern;  and Andreas Jebro’s increasingly panicked turn as the show’s producer, Mads. The plot provides a basis for many fine visuals and good use of some lovely exterior settings.

Regular readers know of my distaste for cliffhangers. These eight half-hour episodes end with some degree of closure, but dangle a big question for a possible second season. Since it aired in Denmark only last year, that’s a possibility. I was engaged enough to be curious about if and how the story continues.

CHAOS, in Danish with English subtitles, debuts streaming on Viaplay on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

RATING: 2 out of 4 stars

“Makari” Season 3 – TV series review

A scene from the Italian light murder mystery series “Makari.” Courtesy of MHz Choice

It’s been almost two years since I reviewed the earlier seasons of this light, charming Italian murder mystery series, “Makari,” set in sunny Sicily. I encourage you to read the prior reviews to refresh your memory (as did I), to better understand the players and relationships for this third season. Here’s the link to that review: https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2023/07/makari-season-2-tv-series-review/.

This round includes four separate cases, with some significant story arcs running throughout. The episodes are a bit longer than before – each about 2 hours – but the light tenor of the series continues. Peppe helps Saverio with everything, while providing the rest of us with the comic relief of his clumsy, overly-friendly puppy personality.

This year, Saverio is enjoying some success as a novelist, leading to his being offered a guest teaching position at a nearby school. The students couldn’t possibly be less interested in books at the start. But he, of course, wins them over. Suleima has completed her architecture studies and is working on a project for Saverio in their eponymous village of Makari. Their blissful co-habitation is threatened when an old beau of hers, Guilio (Eugenio Franceschini), suddenly appears with a sob story of failed romance that makes him turn to his former best friend for solace. He becomes a thorn in Saverio’s side throughout the season, as ulterior motives emerge.

In the first episode, Saverio is asked for help from an old girlfriend who is being sued by another of his exes; one of their husbands is killed, making the other’s a prime suspect. Suleima becomes suspicious that one or both of the women might still have the hots for her guy. In the second, the restoration of a nearby village leads to sharply divided factions among the locals on its direction; one side demands emphasis on historical purity; the other wants to create more of an active arts center. That results in one of the leaders gettin’ hisself kilt. Also, it starts to appear as if the foxy teacher Michela (Serena Iansiti) who recommended Saverio to the school may have more intimate aspirations.

The third is both the funniest and most irritating of the lot, as Suleima’s parents arrive unexpectedly to also stay in their house. Her overbearing dad still thinks of Giulio as the son he never had, and the son-in-law he should have had, fawning over him endlessly, while criticizing and nitpicking at everything about Saverio. That drags on alongside a vendor’s murder at a major book festival. The last episode takes place at a swanky spa that may not be the miraculous new-age health and healing operation that it purports to be. Naturally, while our little crew of protagonists is there, a doctor turns up dead. As has happened several times in the series, Saverio first has to convince the cops that it wasn’t an accident before working towards a solution.

As before, the series thrives on Saverio’s easygoing charm and Peppe’s levity, plus the rocky course of his love for Suleima. The mystery element continues to remain well-written, maintaining suspense throughout each. No need to binge, but watch them in order to follow the course of several relationships. By the end, you’ll likely join me in hoping for a fourth season.

“Makari” Season Three, mostly in Italian with English subtitles, begins streaming on MHz Choice on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

RATING: 3 out of 4 stars

HUNT THE WICKED – Review

A scene from the Chinese action movie HUNT THE WICKED. Courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment

HUNT THE WICKED is a Chinese action flick in a contemporary crime setting that packs considerable punch in its considerable amount of punches, knifings, shootings and ‘splosions. The premise is rather standard, with more complications and twists than usual in the plot.

Miao Xie stars as Huang, a super-tough supercop pitted against huge drug manufacturing and importing ring that has long defied the efforts of the authorities. That’s partly due to the corruption among certain cops and politicians obscuring their activities and derailing most of the legit efforts. The film opens with Huang making the biggest bust to date of the meth-like pills the gang is making called Spider. It can be fatal for those who use it, and even more so for those who get hooked. In the course of Huang’s pursuit of the syndicate’s upper echelons, he must fend off major efforts by the cartel to recover their confiscated product from the secret place Huang stored it. Those efforts are either helped or hindered by a rogue ex-cop (Andy On), creating quite a bit of suspense about who should trust whom, since the latter had become known to the authorities as a major criminal.

The big draw here lies in the fight sequences, ranging from gritty one-on-ones, to heavily-populated clashes yielding high body counts. Their intensity is partly due to the fact that Miao Xie has won a number of Wushu tournaments, and On studied multiple disciplines, ranging from time at a Shaolin temple to working with Jackie Chan’s crew of trainers.  The real starring credit arguably is to be shared between director Suiqiang Huo and stunt coordinator Long Zhao, with a high-five to Jun Li’s cinematography. I’d also give a nod to the location scout(s) for finding several excellent settings for the proceedings to unfold.

Despite what may strike one as protracted story arcs – including our knowing who the main villains are too long before our hero gets there – the lead performances and scale of action make this one worth watching.

HUNT THE WICKED, in Mandarin Chinese with English subtitles, debuts on digital platforms from WellGoUSA on Tuesday, May 20, 2025.

RATING: 2.5 out of 4 stars

“Jana, Marked for Life” – TV Series Review

A scene from the Swedish TV crime series “Jana, Marked for Life.” Courtesy of ViaPlay

This Swedish procedural miniseries ”Jana, Marked for Life” is well-written in terms of plot suspense, but falls short in developing personalities of the principals that inspire engagement with them. Jana (Madeleine Martin) is the daughter of a wealthy, respected judge who is about to retire. At a posh party in His Honor’s honor, Jana spoils daddy’s evening by announcing that she’s starting work as a local prosecuting attorney, rather than accept the prestigious job he’d arranged for her with a leading firm in Stockholm.

Day one puts her on a murder case with detective Peer (August Wittgenstein), with whom she has a history. She also must work with a female officer, Mia (Moa Gammel), who resents the hell out of this privileged lass walking into a better job than hers, and immediately asserting her own ideas about the case too vigorously. Jana has more knowledge about the victim than she acknowledges to the others, and is also haunted by dreams and flashbacks to a troubled youth that she doesn’t actually remember. Apparently, she was adopted after a tragic early life with all conscious memory blotted out. She also has inexplicable fighting skills that show up in an emergency.

The murder victim was about to blow the whistle on a major criminal ring when he was whacked by someone looking like a small, lithe ninja. Not exactly standard for Nordic criminals. Through six hour-long episodes, we gradually learn more about Jana’s backstory and how it may relate to the current crime she’s working. Those efforts are hampered by issues with her junkie kid sister Jojo (Sigrid Johnson); her father and former shrink withholding information about those nagging origins; and Jana’s refusal to share what she’s learning with the cops like a proper team player would. That’s rather annoying, especially when she repeatedly puts herself in positions of danger without any notice to the others. Nor does she make things easier for her troubled sibling by explaining that her bitchiness is job and history-related, not disapproval of Jojo, who takes Jana’s aloofness personally.

As the good guys stumble their way through the maze of possible crimes and perps, old and current, Jana’s chosen secrecy and autonomy wear thin. Most such dramas thrive on the likability and/or empathy factor of their protagonist(s). Jana is as off-putting to the viewers as to the other players in her family and work circles. She’s smart and usually correct in her suspicions, but frustratingly closed off in how she pursues the essential answers.

The season ends in a complete package without significant cliffhangers, though it does leave some residue for a second season. Since it originally aired in 2024, that remains as a distinct possibility. If so, perhaps Jana will have purged enough of her devils to play more nicely with others on the next case. That would make an upgrade for them and the viewers.

“Jana, Marked for Life,” mostly in Swedish with English subtitles, streams on ViaPlay starting May 9, 2025.

RATING: 2 out of 4 stars

“Spring Tide” Season 2 TV series review

Kjell Bergqvist as Tom Stilton and Dar Salim as Abbas, in the Swedish crime drama series “Spring Tide” Season 2. Directors: Niklas Ohlson, Pontus Klänge. Photo credit: Niklas Maupoix. Produced by Filmlance International AB. Courtesy of MHz Choice

The Swedish crime drama,”Spring Tide” (originally “Springfloden”) is back with Season 2. I reviewed Season One of the series a couple of months ago (here is the link to that review: https://www.wearemoviegeeks.com/2025/02/spring-tide-season-one-tv-series-review/). Season Two brings back most of those principals for another 10-episode mystery.

Season Two is somewhat larger in scope, covering several crimes in two countries for its geographically scattered cast. It starts in Stockholm with the staged suicide of a possible corporate whistle-blower (NOT a spoiler. It wouldn’t have been much of a series if the guy had actually killed himself. It’s just par for the genre course.). Then a dismembered woman’s body washes ashore in Marseilles. She turns out to be a former love of Abbas (Dar Salim), sending him and Tom (Kjell Bergqvist) down there to find out whodunit. Toss in some corporate corruption and sex trafficking. Then another murder occurs, raising questions of if and how all of these plot threads overlap.

Olivia (Julia Ragnarsson) is just returning from having spent the six months since Season One in Mexico, and she still hasn’t finished her studies at the police academy. But that doesn’t stop her from pursuing her own aggressive independent investigation. The first stiff was a neighbor and friend with a surly (aren’t they all?) teen daughter, Lisa (Michaela Thorsen), who becomes annoyingly and frustratingly dependent on Olivia. This time, it’s personal… as the saying goes.

Multiple arenas of action keep things moving, although, as before, the whole thing could have been covered in seven or eight episodes to greater advantage. The scripts are otherwise well-written, giving many players the chance to strut their stuff. Some violence. No nudity. Abbas, who I thought possibly the most interesting character in the first round, plays a more prominent role in this one, confirming my opinion. A couple of romantic sidebars add to the human-interest side.

The two seasons aired abroad from 2016-18. Presumably, that’s all we’ll get, though I’d still like for the Abbas character to be booked for a spin-off. No cliffhangers at the end, so it’s safe to dive in. Ideally, watch Season One first to better understand the characters and their relationships

“Spring Tide” Season Two, in Swedish and French with English subtitles and with some English, begins streaming on MHz Choice on starting Tuesday, Apr. 19.

RATING: 2.5 out of 4 stars

Kjell Bergqvist as Tom Stilton and Julia Ragnarsson as Olivia Rönning, in the Swedish crime drama series “Spring Tide” Season 2. Directors: Niklas Ohlson, Pontus Klänge. Photo credit: Ulrika Malm. Produced by Filmlance International AB. Courtesy of MHz Choice

STRIKING RESCUE – Review

A scene from STRIKING RESCUE. Courtesy of WellGo USA

Tony Jaa is essentially the Bruce Lee of Thailand. He’s a gifted martial artist with black belts in multiple disciplines. He does his own stunts without CGI or wires. His films have reliably delivered plenty of high-octane action with varying degrees of story significance. Jaa’s resting face seems to be one of anger, which serves him well in this hard-hitting revenge story, STRIKING RESCUE.

We see Jaa’s wife and daughter being murdered during the opening credits. The whole film consists of working his way up the criminal echelons to kill whoever did them in. It’s a classic formula that never gets old in the right hands, whether being executed by Jason Statham, Scott Adkins, Jet Li or any other martial artist with a SAG card (or its equivalent in the dozens of other countries pumping these flicks out). Along the way, he winds up protecting the daughter of a rich guy who just might be one of those responsible for his tragic loss.

Some of Jaa’s vehicles require little or no emotional range beyond justified anger about the form of evil du jour. Offhand, I can’t recall any romances, though his love for domesticated elephants is quite profound in the pair of PROTECTOR movies which, along with three ONG BAK films, propelled him to international acclaim. A long sequence in THE PROTECTOR, in which Jaa fights his way up a wide circular, multi-story stairway ranks among the most stunning in the genre. The skill required to choreograph and execute that sequence that took several months to film made me a fan. STRIKING RESCUE features more plot complexity and character delineation than usual without shorting us on his unique style of ass-kicking. Jaa’s Muay Thai uses more knee and elbow strikes than other disciplines. It ain’t pretty but it works real good.

All the types needed for one of these offerings are well-represented, including the relatively recent trend of having a hot, skilled psycho-bitch among the male-dominated enemy ranks. This one wields two hatchets, providing another bit of novelty. Jaa’s fans will be pleased, and newbies are likely to join them. That’s about all you need to know, folks.

STRIKING RESCUE, in Mandarin Chinese, Thai and some English, with English subtitles, is available for digital streaming from WellGo USA starting Tuesday, Apr. 15 and on Blu-ray on May, 13, 2025.

RATING: 3 out of 4 stars

“Off Track” – TV series review

Sara Mortensen as Elsa, in the French mini-series “Off Track.” Courtesy of MHz Choice

The 2023 six-hour miniseries from France, “Off Track” (originally, “L’abime”) delivers a truly suspenseful tale in an unfortunately bloated package. Elsa (Sara Mortensen) and Laurent (Gil Alma) have been happily married for 20 years, apart from enduring the bitchiness of their teen daughter, Lucie (Marie Mallia). At least that’s how it seems until Elsa vanishes without explanation, and dead bodies start littering the landscape. After a frantic search for the first couple of episodes, Elsa turns up, as she must since she’s the friggin’ star of this show.

Gradually we learn that Elsa wasn’t always Elsa, and that her bio before Laurent was considerably different from what she’d told him. The truth unfolds slowly throughout the rest of the series, aided by a slew of flashbacks. Elsa suffers nightmares about the death of a boy that have her plagued with guilt. She’s also constantly in conflict with Lucie over every sort of thing that occurs. When it starts to seem as if Elsa has dark secrets from the past, and may be killing a couple of guys in the present to keep concealing her true identity, the energy level picks up. Was she a criminal? Fleeing from an abuser? In France’s version of Witness Protection? Amnesiac? Psycho?  Disclosing more about the plot and the players would spoil key parts of the mystery. Suffice it to say that the tale is intricate and keeps one guessing to the end.

Mortensen’s performance is compelling, creating a bouncing ball of empathy vs. suspicion throughout. Coline Bellin, who plays Elsa in the flashbacks to her teen years, also delivers the goods. The whole cast does well in filling their variety of roles, from overly judgmental cops to sympathetic friends, among others. The rural and small-town scenery is another plus.

The only negative – a big one for me, but perhaps less so for others – is that it feels 50% longer than need be. Tighten this to four episodes and it’s a winner, without losing any plot-moving or story arc essentials. But binge-ers who prefer leisurely tales to nestle in with during their viewing hours may find the slow pace a comfy fit.

“Off Track,” in French with English subtitles, begins streaming on MHz Choice starting Tuesday, Apr. 15.

RATING: 2 out of 4 stars

Sara Mortensen (Elsa) and Gil Alma (Laurent), in the French mini-series “Off Track.” Courtesy of MHz Choice

“The Hunt” – TV miniseries review

A scene from the Dutch TV crime series “The Hunt.” Courtesy of ViaPlay

The Dutch miniseries “The Hunt” (originally “Een van ons”) is supposedly based on a sordid real-life murder than garnered national attention in 1999, and for years afterward. In a small northern village, Anneke (Richelle Plantinga), a popular teen girl, was raped and murdered while cycling home from a local night club. No one knew who did it but there was enough anti-immigrant sentiment to make newly-arrived Afghanis, living in a Community Center for integration into their community, the prime suspects. That possible scapegoating was motivating emotionally, even if not logistically, for the many of the residents.

The story is largely presented by classmate Fenna (Eefje Paddenburg), whose main connection to Anneke was having the hots for the lass’s boyfriend, Jeroen (Gijs Blom), with whom Anneke quarreled just before she pedaled off to her fate. The scripts bounce among several time periods – 1999, 2001, 2009 and 2012 – from crime to solution in six hour-long episodes. We also meet a whole bunch of the family and neighbors, dwelling on the perspectives and consequences for each at some point, and giving airtime to a wide range of conflicts within and among them. The tone is that of a suspense drama, with little levity or overt action. The plot moves slowly, requiring patience as much as empathy or curiosity from viewers.

The triggering incident itself was quite disturbing. But the worst part about watching this course of events is its relevance to our present. The xenophobia and fascistic fervor of some split the town down the middle on mob rule versus due process. It’s as much a cautionary tale as a crime drama. Anneke’s family and friends were naturally angered by the loss, and frustrated by years of failure to nail the perpetrator, who most likely was living among them for the whole time, either in the village or at the Center. Some feared the Afghanis; others relied on them as a vital part of the area’s economy.

A deep cast contributes well to establishing an array of sympathetic and/or despicable players – many with elements of both. Attitudes and changes over time for many of them seem realistic, and not simplified for the medium. As has often been the case while reviewing imported TV series, the package felt longer than needed. Trimming the content to four episodes would have made a more compelling experience. The first three are particularly long on exposition and short on plot advancement. Fortunately, the latter half provides more excitement along the path to resolution, including an uptick in physical actions, and a few dollops of sexual activity. Enough to make it a series worth considering for a binge.

“The Hunt,” mostly in Dutch with English subtitles, streams on ViaPlay starting Mar. 27, 2025.

RATING: 2.4 out of 4 stars

“l3P” – TV series review

A scene from the TV series “l3P.” ®Mika Cotellon-Storia Television. Courtesy of MHz Choice

The French crime drama miniseries “l3P” is rather unusual in its premise and structure. Before you get into a sci-fi frame of mind, this ISN’T about a relative of C-3PO or R2-D2. The title is the name of the police psychiatric clinic, run by eccentric shrink Matthias Bernhardt (Marc Lavoine). He usually seems distracted from the given moment by other thoughts, and is further bothered by recurring visions and blackouts that may be due to undiagnosed brain damage, for which he remains firmly in denial. Each case brings him crimes to be solved with police captain Nathalie Fontaine (Barbara Schulz), who vacillates among irritation and resentment of the doc, respect for his skills and a semi-maternal fondness for him personally.

The series is six 50-minute episodes, with each main case being a two-parter. The first involves a string of murders of the homeless by a gang of clowns (literally – that’s how the roving thugs are dressed). The second is unraveling the mystery of an amnesic woman – who she is, and how she wound up there. The former question is complicated by two men claiming to be her fiancé, and another calling himself her husband. All three know her by different names. The third story offers the highest body count, involving several strangulations with knotted silken material as the weapon of choice.

Lavoine’s Matthias looks rather like a tall Al Franken with a default bearing of having his mind occupied somewhere different from whatever is going on around him. He’s brilliant, insightful and gentle with patients, witnesses and the bevy of young docs working under him. Nathalie’s baseline attitude is one of annoyance, whether at work or home. There’s not much levity in her life or the scripts.

The appeal of this series lies in the intricacy of the stories more than any close bonding with the characters. There’s more to respect than like about them. This 2022 trio of cases is called a miniseries, but feels like more is yet to come. There are no cliffhangers but these tales may have only scratched the surface of defining the players and their potential story arcs. I was engaged enough to hope for further offerings.

“l3P,” in French with English subtitles, streams on MHz Choice starting Tuesday, Apr. 7, 2025.

RATING: 3 out of 4 stars