Antonio Larussa has apparently committed suicide in his own house with a complicated system of wires that transform his wheelchair into an electric chair. Everyone is certain that this is an open-and-shut case except for Montalbano (Luca Zingaretti). As he conducts his investigations, he uncovers a complicated plot involving Antonio's brother Giacomo (Luigi Maria Burruano), a high school physics teacher subsequently accused of murdering Antonio; and a childhood sweetheart of both brothers (Ileana Rigano) who has returned to the local area after the death of her husband. Meanwhile Mimi Augello (Cesare Bocci) investigates a separate murder of a loan-shark, which turns out to have a vital bearing on the Larussa case. Alberto Sironi's production goes through various twists and turns with a surprise ending that takes viewers by surprise. The only snag with this particular mystery is that it leaves certain loose ends of plot: Antonio has quite literally fried to death in his wheelchair, yet it seems that Giacomo did not notice anything amiss when he came back to Antonio's house. Surely the stench of burning flesh would have disturbed anyone? Nonetheless this story shows the human side of Montalbano, especially at the end when he allows the chief suspect a few moments of freedom on his own before taking him into custody.
3 Reviews
Was it suicide or murder?
Tweekums18 March 2012
Warning: Spoilers
This episode opens with what appears to be a clear case of suicide; a wealthy goldsmith is found dead in his workshop after apparently converting his wheelchair into an electric chair! Of course Montalbano isn't so sure and starts looking into the case. The man had been in his wheelchair for over thirty years and had told people that it was due to a riding accident; it later emerges that he was really injured when his brother, and rival for the affection of a beautiful woman, had pushed him down some stone stairs. The more he investigates the more likely it is that the brother was involved; he was heard arguing with him on the day of his death and a fake will was found leaving everything to the brother; a large inheritance provides quite a motive. In a secondary case a respectable local man is found shot dead on the same night; surely the cases can't be related
or can they?
This was another great episode with something of a twist at the end. One thing everybody who enjoys murder mysteries knows it that every reported suicide will turn into a murder investigation and that the first couple of people questioned will have committed no crime; without going into to many details; that isn't quite true here! As always Luca Zingaretti does a great job as Montalbano he is one of the great TV detectives even though most people won't have heard of him just because it isn't in English; I'm glad BBC4 started showing us continental dramas or I wouldn't have heard of him either. Luigi Burruano also put in a fine performance as chief suspect and brother of the dead goldsmith Giacomo Larussa; a man so polite and reasonable when in custody that he annoyed Montalbano!
This was another great episode with something of a twist at the end. One thing everybody who enjoys murder mysteries knows it that every reported suicide will turn into a murder investigation and that the first couple of people questioned will have committed no crime; without going into to many details; that isn't quite true here! As always Luca Zingaretti does a great job as Montalbano he is one of the great TV detectives even though most people won't have heard of him just because it isn't in English; I'm glad BBC4 started showing us continental dramas or I wouldn't have heard of him either. Luigi Burruano also put in a fine performance as chief suspect and brother of the dead goldsmith Giacomo Larussa; a man so polite and reasonable when in custody that he annoyed Montalbano!
The electrifying artist's touch
TheLittleSongbird11 October 2017
Love detective mystery dramas, particularly those from the UK and US ('Inspector Morse', 'A Touch of Frost', 'Foyle's War', 'Inspector George Gently', 'Midsomer Murders', 'Law and Order', 'Criminal Minds', 'Monk' and 'Murder She Wrote' for examples,, and non-English/American ones (i.e. The Swedish 'Wallander' and the Danish 'The Killing') also fascinate me.
'Inspector Montalbano' is one of the best and most entertaining examples. It is not easy breathing freshness into a well-worn genre but 'Inspector Montalbano' manages to do so with aplomb. Watching 'Inspector Montalbano' is like eating a delicious Italian meal that immensely satisfies and leaves you wanting more. There may be very familiar tropes, but in a way it's inevitable and doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all.
All the previous 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes are very good to outstanding (the weakest being "The Terracotta Dog" and my favourite up to this point being "A Trip to Tindari"). "Artist's Touch" is yet another great episode, my only complaint being agreed a few loose ends that didn't quite add up or feel explored enough.
One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "A Trip to Tindari" is beautifully shot and the scenery is stunning, making those who've never been to Italy want to book a holiday there as soon as possible and is a treat for anybody who loves all things Italian. The music is never over-bearing or low-key with a nice atmosphere and flavour, a lot of it is very cleverly used. The sound effects are remarkably authentic.
Writing is tightly structured and taut, with very funny to hilarious humour, nail-biting tension and involving and poignant human drama balanced beautifully. The subtitles are not hard to follow and the story, a few loose ends aside, is absorbing and a real brain-teaser, suitably challenging the viewer while still being logical and comprehensible.
Characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me (seeing a softer and more human side to him is always welcome) and the scene-stealing Catarella (hilarious comic relief but more than that). The supporting characters intrigue too.
Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zigaretti who is a treasure in the title role, effectively bringing humour, grit and humanity. Angelo Russo's comic timing is a refreshing and always perfectly timed joy and the supporting cast are strong across the board. Katharina Bohm is just as good here as she was in the previous episodes and Peppino Mazzotta plays Fazio with relish.
In summation, great and electrifying. 9/10 Bethany Cox
'Inspector Montalbano' is one of the best and most entertaining examples. It is not easy breathing freshness into a well-worn genre but 'Inspector Montalbano' manages to do so with aplomb. Watching 'Inspector Montalbano' is like eating a delicious Italian meal that immensely satisfies and leaves you wanting more. There may be very familiar tropes, but in a way it's inevitable and doesn't detract from the enjoyment at all.
All the previous 'Inspector Montalbano' episodes are very good to outstanding (the weakest being "The Terracotta Dog" and my favourite up to this point being "A Trip to Tindari"). "Artist's Touch" is yet another great episode, my only complaint being agreed a few loose ends that didn't quite add up or feel explored enough.
One always expects 'Inspector Montalbano' to look good. As always with 'Inspector Montalbano', "A Trip to Tindari" is beautifully shot and the scenery is stunning, making those who've never been to Italy want to book a holiday there as soon as possible and is a treat for anybody who loves all things Italian. The music is never over-bearing or low-key with a nice atmosphere and flavour, a lot of it is very cleverly used. The sound effects are remarkably authentic.
Writing is tightly structured and taut, with very funny to hilarious humour, nail-biting tension and involving and poignant human drama balanced beautifully. The subtitles are not hard to follow and the story, a few loose ends aside, is absorbing and a real brain-teaser, suitably challenging the viewer while still being logical and comprehensible.
Characters may be stereotypes but well-written ones, especially one of the most fascinating foreign detective mystery dramas titular characters there is to me (seeing a softer and more human side to him is always welcome) and the scene-stealing Catarella (hilarious comic relief but more than that). The supporting characters intrigue too.
Acting is terrific, especially from Luca Zigaretti who is a treasure in the title role, effectively bringing humour, grit and humanity. Angelo Russo's comic timing is a refreshing and always perfectly timed joy and the supporting cast are strong across the board. Katharina Bohm is just as good here as she was in the previous episodes and Peppino Mazzotta plays Fazio with relish.
In summation, great and electrifying. 9/10 Bethany Cox
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