I already knew about her, but on Monday night I could see the first episode of Maigret, television miniseries the British ITV that emitted in 2016. And I was pleasantly surprised. First because it is more than difficult to see Rowan Atkinson and not laugh. And second, because it is even more complicated not to think that he is not making a parody of the straight, serious, compassionate and well-known character of George Simenon, the commissioner Jules maigret.
Well no, it doesn't. Unlike, the change of register is total and he gets into Maigret's skin perfectly, in a creation as sober as supported by the exquisite British production so common. This is my review and review of other faces that have given it life.
George Simenon and Maigret
About the Belgian writer George Simenon you can read this article recently signed by my colleague Ana Lena Rivera. Its most famous creature is Jules maigret, of the French judicial police. Has starred 78 novels and 28 short stories, written between 1929 and 1972.
Maigret usually solves his cases with a lot of left hand and, above all, tries to get into the lives of people around the investigation. Try to understand their ways of life, where they come from and what they think by acting and living like them.
Your help sober and upright character, deceptively harsh, because deep down he is of deep compassion. With good helpers, their most characteristic habits are to be a unrepentant pipe smoker and heavy beer drinker and of that liquor so rich and strong that is calvados (I attest), also typical of its creator.
ITV TV series
Conclusion 4 episodes of 90 minutes duration that were issued between 2016 and 2017. Account of some cases of Maigret, which take place in the Paris in the 50s the last century. They were filmed mainly in locations of Budapest and Szentendre, Hungary, to show that Paris. From very careful production, hallmark of any self-respecting British series, the setting, tone and cast are impeccable.
And the surprise is given by the actor chosen to play Maigret. Rowan Atkinson is and will forever be Mr. Bean, and also one of the great British comedians. So it is quite a discovery to see him transform into an apparently hieratic Maigret, with his caution, patience, prudence, empathy and reasoning to solve their cases. But it fulfills more than efficiently in a very convincing portrait. Maybe for being a great follower and reader of novels.
Other faces of Maigret
Simenon's prolific production makes Maigret possibly one of the most popular literary characters on the screen and played by great actors over time. These are just a few of the most important.
- Pierre-Renoir. Director's brother Jean Renoir, who directed him in the adaptation of The night of the crossroads, of 1932.
- Robert newton. English actor, classic of the adventure films of the 50s, such as The island of the treasure where he played the pirate Long John Silver. And that by the way has some resemblance to Atkinson. It was Maigret in Mists of temptation, of 1947.
- Charles Laughton. Another renowned English actor who was directed by Burgess Meredith in The man on the Eiffel Tower, from 1950 and considered one of the best adaptations of a work by Simenon.
- Jean Gabin. This French actor and war hero is possibly the quintessential cinematic Maigret and Simenon's favorite. He incarnated it on several occasions.
- Claude rains. Another great of British cinema was Maigret in The man who watched the trains go by, of 1952.
- Gino Cervis. Actor Italian taste who played him in the 1967 Franco-Italian film Maigret in Pigalle.
- Bruno cremer. Actor French that represented the character in a television series entitled Inspector Maigret, which lasted from 1991 to 2005.
- Michael Gambon. This actor Irish so well known he also gave life to Maigret for the ITV en another previous series from the 90s, Inspector Maigret, which lasted from 1992 to 1993.