Enquêtes gourmandes

I decided to watch this movie because of Dylan Neal; I've seen him in a few other movies and always enjoyed his performances. It started off great; he's charming, and the movie seemed like a fun little whodunnit with a twist.

And then Brooke Burns (aka the sour-faced dragon lady from hell) opened her freaky lips and spewed unwarranted aggressive bitchiness (and I say opened her lips because I've never seen anyone so clenched and uptight that their jaw couldn't move when they spoke). And she didn't stop until about 3/4 of the way through the movie, when she actually seemed human for the first time. Seriously, dial it down, lady! I nearly packed it in after ten minutes because she was so intolerably annoying.

But hey, I've watched far worse and this did turn out to be an okay little time waster. Not especially taxing on the intellect in terms of working out who did what, but still a bit of fun. Worth a watch if you come across it.

First of all I like Dylan Neal in almost anything. He's a cool actor and in this is perfect for the part. He says more with his looks than words could tell. But Brooke Burns is no match. She comes off snippy and bitchy. Has a real attitude in this film. Put them together and he comes off the winner in this mystery/comedy.

Everyone is under suspicion in this cooking/killer text. It does take a while to figure who is who and such. Can be confusing. But maybe they are trying to make that happen in this film.

But Neal makes the film work. He is subtle and charming in his approach to his character. Sort of a modern day Thin Man type. But Burns is no Myrna Loy. I just feel she has an edge that doesn't mix with this type of film. She has one look - that of disgust. With everyone else in the movie. And her mouth bothered me. Strange looking and like a tight jaw.

There is also an array of assorted character actors representing chefs and police that mingle in and out the plot. But the two leads are the main focus and solving the crime. And Dylan Neal wins my focus and applause.

I've watched many of the light mysteries on HMM, including all 17 Aurora Teagardens, and all five of these. While Aurora's gang has proven most entertaining, it's not really 3.5 times better than this series. I realize the food premise limits the number of possible story lines, but Brooke Burns is terrific, and the way Dylan Neal depends on her toughness, while yearning for more than a partners-in-crime-solving relationship, makes them the most appealing duo the network has offered.

As Oliver Twist said at mealtime, "Please, sir, I want some more."

I've been watching the first episode (of just five?) and nothing struck me more than how similar this is to the now-cancelled TV show: "Castle".

I know the single parent with daughter rôle has been switched over from the consultant to the police detective and that some might argue that the cocky consultant is a modern day TV trope but I'd never make the comparison with, say, "The Mentalist".

In a way, it's a shame that they don't make more "Gourmet Detective" TV movies. They might appeal to pre shark jumping/cancellation Castle fans...

Maggie Price is a tough workaholic detective with the San Francisco Police Department and works in the homicide division. Recently divorced, she lives with her mother and thirteen-year-old daughter Abigail. A casual date turns into an encounter with the gourmet detective Henry Ross, who portrays himself as a charming and confident man with a refined taste for food. They are thrown together when an investigative journalist dies at a restaurant owned by Henry's friend. All guests are suspects, including Henry, but he is paired up with Detective Maggie Price because he knows everyone and everything about the food industry in town.

A well-made mystery with a pairing of two people from differing walks of life and quite a clash, hence the bantering. The mystery is well done, quite engaging, and the characters are sharply etched, however Detective Maggie Price can be a little severe in her attitude, which can be grating. Overall, though, an above average mystery.