Il commissario Manara

This series is so Italian, they should call it "Inspector Marinara". Even the cops are simpatico. I love the aunt that solves all the crimes. The women are drool-worthy. The locale is Tuscany. The crimes mostly involve Italian music, art and culture. Did I mention how evocative the cinematography is? A winner!

I was offered the 2015 series through Acorn TV Subscription. Couldn't find any reason to stay thru Ep 2, as Ep 1 didn't tantalize me. Had parallel elements at casting to males and females in U. S. offerings, but not as fast on their feet with actions and dialogue. Seemed like I was wasting my time, just reading the subtitles.

After watching all popular British crime dramas on Prime I stumbled on this gem and was immediately intrigued and entertained by it. Just finished Season 1, and will now continue living a decadent and adventurous lifestyle in Italy, vicariously, through this amazing cast and production. I feel like if I watch enough of it, I may speak fluent Italian when it's over. Grazie Manara!

This is a frothy bit of superficial rubbish from RAI. It's filmed in the style of a 1970s American detective show, a bit like Magnum PI or similar. It was just not engaging enough to hold attention. After a while the silliness of it all becomes annoying and not worth watching.

My first impressions weren't too good. There was too much sentimentality and comedy and not enough crime. The programme seemed formulaic and it is. However, I stuck with it and came to like the series as what it is, a simple bit of fun.

It got to be a familiar theme. We opened with a gruesome killing which was solved in the end by Signor Manara and his principal helper whether the lovely Lara or her replacement in the second season the long legged Marta. Various players had bit parts in the clearing up of the crimes - a couple of buffoonish uniformed cops, the reception cop, the odd couple Sardi and Toscani, Aunty Caterina and (occasionally) Ada.

Throughout, Inspector Manara melted female hearts and seduced several woman and sometimes these conquests were instrumental in solving the whodunnit.

The sets and backgrounds were fabulous. It was shot in a truly unspoilt corner of Italy with old buildings and narrow streets set against the backdrop of the sea.

A third season was commissioned and written. Filming was announced to be starting on several occasions but the project was quietly dropped. It's a real shame. It will never happen now. I'd have loved to see the new episodes.

This is a nice, frothy confection that is easy to watch. I'm confined to barracks because of covid and it made an ideal way to while away some hours.