Non mi lasciare

As frequent travelers to Venice we have to rate this the best cinematography of Venice and outlying islands we have ever watched. The scenery was magical and took us back down memory lane with all the familiar places. The story line was exciting, emotional and the acting was incredible. So many twists and turns of emotions between the actors and surprisingly an extremely sensitive and happy ending. Gave me a different perspective of Venice after dark and early morning. Watched the last episode last night and already talking about re watching!

If ever there was a show where the achievements of the cinematographer outshone those of the writer, director and cast, this is it. True, the camera crew have Venice to work with, and Venice (as so many filmmakers have found) is a character in itself: all you've got to do is pay attention to its details and idiosyncrasies. Even so, the camera work and editing here is remarkable good, full of curiosity and maybe even love for the location.

The script, however, is a total plodder, more leaking dinghy than gondola. Mysterious girl returns to hometown after decades away, now cast as the avenging angel for kids being abused and sold online. Tough work, for sure, but it's treated here as almost backdrop to the mawkish romantic plot elements in which our heroine (improbably partnered with her old boyfriend who wasn't even a cop but a musician last time they met!) is an Italian kickass ninja with great hair rather than a real person moved by the plight of those she has devoted her life to saving, i.e. Abused kids. (I tack them on to the end of the sentence here the way the plot tacks them on to this otherwise entirely average romance cop show in a cool location.)

So often, Italian dramas (with some honourable exceptions) add mush and Muzak where muscle and motivation would be much more welcome and effective. This is one of those shows where the splendor of the backdrop makes the main attraction (if we can use such a term of the theme) look like nothing to get worked up about - hardly what you want in a show on such a subject.

You'll learn nothing about how pedophiles really work (except that it has to do with the Dark Web, apparently) and you'll think Venice looks great if a bit damp off season. Other than that you'll see some nice clothes and some handsome people pretending to be serious and getting in and out of boats of various kinds.

Sadly, three episodes were more than enough.

Italian drama 'Don't Leave Me' is certainly stylish: how could it not be, with its attractive leads and Venetian setting? It's also solidly plotted and its characters have depth. It's also not without flaws: we have a team of super-talented police with instanteous tech and a ridiculously glamorous office; and a lot of the plot twists are very heavily flagged. The chase scenes are slick but never quite feel natural. And the basic idea, that a super-powerful gang are involved in a highly sophisticated scheme to abuse children, doesn't feel true to the tawdry nature of child abuse in general. It's certainly more than a by-the-book thriller; but it doesn't quite inspire the highest levels of emotional engagement.

I found this series to be riveting from the get go. The story was more than compelling and the writing was perfect. The directing was incredibly disciplined and beautifully artistic at the same time.

The subject matter is horrific and heart-rending but it was handled so adeptly, without being exploitive.

The actors were all at their very best, and thoroughly believable in their roles.

It is clear from the onset that Elena is driven by the case by some troubling force, which at times threatens to derail her investigation. But her belief in the case, and winning over her fellow detectives by her determination assures they will all pursue it to its end.

Her past relationship with fellow detective Danielle, and his marriage to her best friend, Guilia, adds a personal tension to the story, but only serves to more deeply develop those characters rather than interfere with the overall storyline.

Guilia, Danielle's wife and Elena's friend, for instance, delivers one of the most exquisite performances in the entire series, offering Elena exactly the genuine love and support she needs in order to see the case to its fruition.

The series is so very much worth the watch.

Although we were initially concerned that the romance from the past would overshadow this series, it didn't. The cinematography was blissful and while at times the story seemed to move slowly, suddenly there was a plot twist making you sit up and go wow. We thought the last episode was just so moving and we still think about it weeks after.