Maigret

Methodical, old-fashioned whodunit, with perhaps the no 1 icon of French cinema for the past 4 or so decades finally playing perhaps the most iconic French detective in film history. And he is perfect as an old, down but not out Maigret; capturing his weariness from the passage of time, but also his determination to see justice done one more time. The mystery is short on suspects, but I liked the script's step-by-step structuring, with each small clue leading Maigret to the next one. Leconte does a fine, atmospheric job; with him at the helm, Depardieu in the main role and a more complicated script, the next Maigret movie (assuming it gets made) should have real potential. *** out of 4.

Slow pacing, gloomy atmosphere, linear plot, nothing original in a crime story.

Yet, it's a beautiful movie, perfectly executed.

Depardieu has a presence, seemingly effortless. Patrice Leconte has an entire career to show for.

All in all, a good movie.

Maigret's authenticity in every aspect is most remarkable. Expressive visuals of a decay to which dreamers flock. A hulking father too old and worn to save daughters of the city presented with a effortless performance. Though it's origins are infrequent Maigret is a welcoming experienced experience .

Depardieu plays in this movie a french detective, but he doesn't play Maigret. Slow and boring movie, good actors, but Depardieu seems had never read a book of George Simenon. Maybe his intention was not to copy Jean Gabin or Gino Cervi, but if I go the movie to see Superman, my expectation is to see him flying. In this movie I haven't seen Maigret. For example, an Epicurean lover of food and good drinking is here on a diet, he does not smoke a pipe. Depardieu is too fat and immobile to try to transfigure the famous policeman. Depardieu here seems too sad and unhappy, but, I repeat, he's not Maigret.

The story is good enough to be invested in the movie, actors are great too but I don't know why there are so many shots with weird little zoom and shaky cam. It doesn't seem to evoke anything, just a terrible way to shoot and direct..