Kein Lebenszeichen

Disparu À Jamais (or Gone For Good for the English title is a French mini-series (five episodes) based on a novel from Harlan Coben. The last series I watched based on a novel from Harlan Coben was the German series The Woods, another one that was worth watching. Sometimes his stories are a bit far fetched, with all kind of characters that know each other, when the chances that that would happen in real life are pretty slim. So was it also in Disparu À Jamais. Nevertheless the episodes are full of mysteries which keeps you guessing and interested. Decent acting from the entire cast, although some were better than others. It's not always easy to follow so you have to be concentrated. A good mini-series that you can finish in a couple days.

As this five-part French series, based on a book by Harlan Coben, opens in 2010 in the South of France; there is an attack at a house... a woman, Sonia, ends up dead in the pool and a man, Fred, is shot; his body falls into the Mediterranean and is never seen again. The two are linked by Guillaume Lucchesi; Sonia was his first love and Fred was his brother. Ten years pass and Guillaume thinks he has but the past behind him. Then one day his fiancée suddenly vanishes. As he tries to find out what happens he must also explore what happened in 2010 and the possible link to current events.

As one would expect from a series based on a book by Harlan Coben there are lots of twists and turns and many things we, and characters, believe turn out to be somewhat different in reality. There are plenty of exciting moments as Guillaume and his friend De Costa ask questions of some distinctly shady characters and are followed by an ominous hooded figure. There are plenty of flashbacks to various important things that happened in the past; thankfully these are well signed so the viewer is never in doubt about when and where what they are watching takes place. The cast does a fine job; most notably Finnegan Oldfield, as Guillaume; Guillaume Gouix as De Costa; and Garance Marillier as Sonia's younger Sister Inès. There is much in the way of fine scenery to be enjoyed... as well as some locations tourists would give a wide berth. Overall I found this to be a gripping little series and would certainly recommend it.

These comments are based on watching the series in French with English subtitles.

There was so much going on, that it was difficult to understand who was the titular "gone for good". Corben's melodramatic plotting that originally took place in New Jersey fits poorly with heavy-handed social commentary on French immigrants, social work, Neo-nazism and whatever else thrown into the mixer, all struggling to advance the story and drifting the focus away from it.

Casting is another problem. Finnegan Oldfield in the lead is stuck with one expression on his face, and his chemistry with Nailia Harzoune doesn't register at all. The only standout is Guillaume Gouix but that only makes things worse as his storyline is an unrelated add-on to fill in the runtime.

Towards the end, the plot becomes increasingly jarring and haphazard. Then it all crawls to a lazy wrap-up, with not much feeling for the surviving cast members that pretend everything was solved.

An ok attempt at drama and intrigue but filled with unrelateable, unlikeable characters. The story way too complex and try-hard. Setting is great in Nice.

Far too many contrived relationships and situations. I haven't read the book but I would guess that it is 100x better than this series.

That said, an ok diversion in times of Covid.

I don't know why there are so many bad reviews! The series is a very good crime and mystery thriller. The actors did their part very well. Harlen Kobens The Innocent is my most favourite and now this one is my second favourite! Mystery lovers should give it a try!