Yes, this second episode of the French series "Les Petits Meurtres d'Agatha Christie" is the best of the three filmed versions of one of Agatha Christie's lesser-known and more dramatic novels, "Ordeal By Innocence", surpassing both the 1984 film with Donald Sutherland and Faye Dunaway (not exactly a difficult task!), and the 2007 TV adaptation which was made as part of the new Miss Marple series (with Geraldine McEwan). It is also better than the first episode in the series ("The ABC Murders"); it is directed with more imagination, the production values are higher, and the supporting cast is more varied. It seems to be quite faithful to the original text; the one jarring note for some Christie devotees will be the gay tendencies of the young police inspector, but even that is handled with tact. *** out of 4.
Les petits meurtres d'Agatha Christie (TV Series)
Am stram gram (2009)
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The best screen version of Agatha Christie's "Ordeal By Innocence"
gridoon20247 September 2014
Warning: Spoilers
Ordeal By Innocence
TheLittleSongbird5 January 2019
Have been a huge fan of Agatha Christie for a very long time now and it is her books and numerous adaptations of them that makes me especially fond of detective mysteries. 'Les Petits Meutres D'Agatha Christie' is a French series that adapted loosely Christie's work and is essentially Agatha Christie with a French light comedy twist and a "spoonful of French flair". On its own terms it is fascinating and charming light-hearted entertainment with intriguing stories.
Do agree that the second episode "Am Stram Gram" is a superior episode to the previous one "Les Meurtres ABC", which was still enjoyable and well done, establishing the tone quite well for a first episode. Although it lacks the suspense of "Les Meurtres ABC", things feel settled and more consistent, the direction is more imaginative and the pace tighter. Also agree that, although a loose one rather than a straight up one, that adaptation-wise and especially on its own terms it is the best version of 'Ordeal By Innocence', one of many splendidly crafted stories by the Queen of Crime and apparently one that she herself thought highly of. That is saying a lot because of the four versions (1984, 2007 and 2017 being the others), this for me was the only good one
There is not an awful lot wrong here. Do think that some of the female characters could have been written with more distinction.
Still feel that occasionally the more comedic elements could have calmed down a little.
However, "Am Stram Gram" is very visually appealing, the period detail and scenery are lavish but a great job is also done evoking a sinister enough atmosphere when necessary. The vibrant but never over-saturated or garish colours, that could be quite atmospheric, and stylish photography complement beautifully. The music continues to match the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. On the most part, the writing thought provokes and intrigues with the right amount of entertainment value. As said, some of it needed to calm down but didn't feel much staleness here. Again, but even more so this time, the mystery is still clever and very sophisticated, the denouement still ingenious even with some playing around but in a way that was fresh and still respectful. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Any brutality doesn't feel just there for the sake of it or used cheaply.
Characterisation is more varied here in "Am Stram Gram", even if some characters are still more interesting than others. The pairing of Larosiere and Lampion is already very well settled and the two are a good contrasting match for each other and fascinating as characters. Do find myself rooting for Lampion more but find Larosiere richer in development. The acting is excellent from Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci and Helene Vincent is a different, somewhat warmer, Kristin but an interesting one and it works. Julien Beumgartner and Helene De Saint-Pere do well too as the other two most interesting supporting characters.
Altogether, another very well done episode of this interesting and entertaining series. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Do agree that the second episode "Am Stram Gram" is a superior episode to the previous one "Les Meurtres ABC", which was still enjoyable and well done, establishing the tone quite well for a first episode. Although it lacks the suspense of "Les Meurtres ABC", things feel settled and more consistent, the direction is more imaginative and the pace tighter. Also agree that, although a loose one rather than a straight up one, that adaptation-wise and especially on its own terms it is the best version of 'Ordeal By Innocence', one of many splendidly crafted stories by the Queen of Crime and apparently one that she herself thought highly of. That is saying a lot because of the four versions (1984, 2007 and 2017 being the others), this for me was the only good one
There is not an awful lot wrong here. Do think that some of the female characters could have been written with more distinction.
Still feel that occasionally the more comedic elements could have calmed down a little.
However, "Am Stram Gram" is very visually appealing, the period detail and scenery are lavish but a great job is also done evoking a sinister enough atmosphere when necessary. The vibrant but never over-saturated or garish colours, that could be quite atmospheric, and stylish photography complement beautifully. The music continues to match the light-hearted and at times very atmospheric tone very well. On the most part, the writing thought provokes and intrigues with the right amount of entertainment value. As said, some of it needed to calm down but didn't feel much staleness here. Again, but even more so this time, the mystery is still clever and very sophisticated, the denouement still ingenious even with some playing around but in a way that was fresh and still respectful. Furthermore, there are plenty of twists and turns to keep one on their toes and guessing. Any brutality doesn't feel just there for the sake of it or used cheaply.
Characterisation is more varied here in "Am Stram Gram", even if some characters are still more interesting than others. The pairing of Larosiere and Lampion is already very well settled and the two are a good contrasting match for each other and fascinating as characters. Do find myself rooting for Lampion more but find Larosiere richer in development. The acting is excellent from Antoine Dulery and Marius Colucci and Helene Vincent is a different, somewhat warmer, Kristin but an interesting one and it works. Julien Beumgartner and Helene De Saint-Pere do well too as the other two most interesting supporting characters.
Altogether, another very well done episode of this interesting and entertaining series. 8/10 Bethany Cox
Bad as the others in the series (Les petits meurtres de A. Christie).
stuka249 June 2010
What's wrong with a Christie's adaptation that doesn't look like one? Nothing in principle, as long as it's good for its own sake. Which isn't the case.
Farcical, theatrical, attempting vainly to be funny, laden with cheap philosophy pretending to update Christie: "gays have a right to be happy", it's ultimately deceiving. As a comic relief, in the end, while the credits play, you have some audio clips with the best quotes. Fine for realizing their aim is so modest.
When a film is very bad, you can always choose choose which is the nicest gal: Valentine is a good candidate, we see generous shots of her bosom. Esther is probably the queen, played by a rather unknown actress, Lucie Lucas. Hélène Vincent's Kristin is sexy and walks like a model, which makes an interesting contrast for her character is reputedly cold. IMDb reminded me she won a César for "La vie est un long fleuve tranquille (1988)" and was directed by Téchine and Patrice Chéreau on stage. Charley Fouquet has a vague resemblance to fellow actress Geena Davis. Marthe and Jacko are the only believable characters, which makes them stand out, like good pupils among not so good ones. Emmanuel Patron has done better things, even for TV, like "Nestor Burma" episodes and "Sauf le respect" on film.
Watch it with a painkiller at hand :).
Farcical, theatrical, attempting vainly to be funny, laden with cheap philosophy pretending to update Christie: "gays have a right to be happy", it's ultimately deceiving. As a comic relief, in the end, while the credits play, you have some audio clips with the best quotes. Fine for realizing their aim is so modest.
When a film is very bad, you can always choose choose which is the nicest gal: Valentine is a good candidate, we see generous shots of her bosom. Esther is probably the queen, played by a rather unknown actress, Lucie Lucas. Hélène Vincent's Kristin is sexy and walks like a model, which makes an interesting contrast for her character is reputedly cold. IMDb reminded me she won a César for "La vie est un long fleuve tranquille (1988)" and was directed by Téchine and Patrice Chéreau on stage. Charley Fouquet has a vague resemblance to fellow actress Geena Davis. Marthe and Jacko are the only believable characters, which makes them stand out, like good pupils among not so good ones. Emmanuel Patron has done better things, even for TV, like "Nestor Burma" episodes and "Sauf le respect" on film.
Watch it with a painkiller at hand :).
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