Maigret (TV Series) Madame Quatre et ses enfants (1999) User Reviews

A different, more suspenseful Maigret

[wjspears · 7/10 · 5 May 2021]

This was a more suspenseful Maigret mystery then usual. Usually Maigret mysteries tend to be more cerebral. We are enthralled about learning who did what, and who is hiding what.

There is, especially early on, that aspect as well to this story. But hanging over everything is the possibility of a psychopath who may have already killed one woman.

Maigret, uncharacteristically, goes undercover as a guest at a village hotel, to watch over a woman who may be the killer or the next target of the killer. Marianne Basler is excellent playing the mysterious woman who is both sympathetic and suspicious.

As time and matters progress, things become more tense, and the suspense tightens beautifully.

"She may be a pathological, or . . ."

[garywhalen · 7/10 · 18 November 2023]

Here we have a Maigret story that is not based on a Maigret story. George Simenon's novella upon which this episode is based has as its detective someone named Vaimber. (In the film Vaimber begins the case but turns it over to Maigret, his cousin, so that he may go on vacation. Hence the film makers turn it into a Maigret mystery.) No matter as it still works as a solid Maigret "who done it."

A missing body leads to Maigret's investigation of a possible murder. Was there ever a body? And if so, where is it? And if not, what prompted someone to lie about having seen it? Maigret checks into a hotel under an alias--he claims to be a pharmaceutical salesman--so that he can meet the woman who claims to have seen a body and who says she is afraid of her husband. She has her children with her. Between conversations with Mrs. Quatre-called that because she's in Room 4 of the hotel-and visits to her home Maigret soon pieces together what has happened. At this point the film becomes more of a suspense thriller rather than a mystery, and while that's OK it is a bit unusual for a Maigret story.

Worth seeing? Yes, if you are enjoying the Maigret series starring Bruno Cremer, then this is a nicely performed and scripted story. I do think, though, that the earlier "Maigret Sets a Trap," similar in story to this one, is much better.

Maigret Undercover?

[Tony-Holmes · 7/10 · 5 January 2024]

Saw this on the Talking Pictures channel (UK, old films and TV). They had previously shown the 1960s series (50+ episodes, BBC, B&W) featuring Rupert Davies, a generally acclaimed Maigret.

We've also seen the excellent 12 episodes (2 series) that ITV did (90s) with Michael Gambon as Maigret (terrific portrayal) and the less successful later efforts with Rowan Atkinson in the lead.

This Cremer version is of course French, with subtitles, but they are not too wordy, so fairly easy to follow. Also very French, lots of atmosphere, meaningful looks, thoughtful silences.

I see some reviews refer to how faithful this version is to the books, a ludicrous statement in one respect, as Lucas, his main assistant in all the books I've seen, has almost completely disappeared!

I haven't liked all the episodes so far of this Cremer version, but THIS one (based on a short story it seems) is EXCELLENT! The review by WJSpears and Whalen detail much of what happens, but I'd add that the acting is terrific, a range of disparate characters in a small nondescript village boarding house.

Maigret is - unusually - undercover, in this one, keeping an eye on a woman (+ her 2 awful kids!), who might have witnessed a murder (by her husband), or perhaps is a potential target of a serial killer?

Some comedy notes too, as the flirty pair of waitresses eye up the guests, and plan their social life, but also act as childminders to the poor woman's awful brats.

Maigret soon works out what has likely happened, and the episode becomes one where the police are setting a trap for the murderer, whilst not alerting most of the people in the B&B.

The acting is strong in the supporting cast, but especially by the rather scatty woman involved, a gorgeous performance from Mariane Basler, who at times gets cross with Maigret, at other moments may be thinking of a possible seduction?!

I've only marked the episode down to a 7 as I wan't sure how believable the police activities were -- once they realised they had a serial killer, their actions seemed remarkably relaxed?