Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Montalbano alert

(60 Posts)
gangy5 Sat 19-Aug-17 10:58:16

New series of Montalbano this evening. Have any of you enjoyed the Spanish series that was in this slot? DH and I could only watch one episode at a time as the sub titles needed much concentration - all down to the extremely fast talk. I must admit that this happens with Montalbano as well. I much prefer these types of series to the Scandi noir one's that are so dull and dismal.

lemongrove Mon 04-Sep-17 18:00:10

I feel it's like having a little holiday, from the opening shots and the music, right to the end, I love it.?

SparklyGrandma Mon 04-Sep-17 16:58:29

I agree Swanny the scenery is gorgeous, worth watching for that alone. The sunshine levels too...

I watch it twice a week....confused

Swanny Sun 03-Sep-17 20:56:51

I love Montalbano! Been watching it for years and have read several of the books. Didn't like the Young Montalbano to start with, but he's grown on me. I don't take any of it too seriously (apart from the gorgeous scenery) and think the characters are more caricatures than true to life. It's the highlight of my Saturday evenings though and I often watch again on catchup - purely for the scenery you understand grin

granfromafar Sun 03-Sep-17 20:28:42

Have started watching this series after gangy5's post a couple of weeks ago. At last there is something decent to watch on Saturday evening! As I didn't see the previous series I can't comment on the different actress who plays the girlfriend. My main gripe is that you have to concentrate so hard on the subtitles to follow the plot and with no advert breaks, it's hard going! Also, they seem to give a lot of evidence away on their tv bulletins. Still enjoying it though.

SparklyGrandma Sun 03-Sep-17 13:19:19

Bellanonna it was great wasn't it? I then meet with friends during the week, to discuss, some Welsh Italian.

Enjoyed all round!

Luckygirl Sun 03-Sep-17 10:25:30

I was decidedly underwhelmed by last night's episode - so much so that I went to bed. OH of the same mind.

I think the women irritated me most - all prancing about on 10" heels in tight split skirts and wiggling their hips - one was apparently on her way to a picnic!

Bellanonna Sun 03-Sep-17 07:13:22

Sparkly

Bellanonna Sun 03-Sep-17 07:13:03

So did I SpaerklyGrandma - more than the first two, in fact

SparklyGrandma Sat 02-Sep-17 23:57:55

Just watched tonight's Montalbano
, enjoyed it.

Deedaa Thu 31-Aug-17 22:04:35

I can't find my book of short stories so I don't know if these stories are in it, or if they are ones that haven't been published here.

Bellanonna Thu 31-Aug-17 21:01:09

The dog is new. It came with the new Livia.

devongirl Thu 31-Aug-17 13:09:16

Deedaa have I missed a book?! I'm sure there hasn't been any sign of a dog in the books I've read! The friend who put me onto Montalbano told me the TV sries has things in it from 'A Month with Montalbano', which has never been published in English, so maybe it's from there?!

Deedaa Wed 30-Aug-17 22:32:12

devongirl Livia has a dog, Adelina loves the dog and Salvo has misgivings.

TriciaF Wed 30-Aug-17 18:19:24

ps the new series is also showing in France - since August 6th on France3

TriciaF Wed 30-Aug-17 18:11:24

I got my new book in the post today - The Shape of Water. It's supposed to be the first in the series.
If I like it I'll get some more.

SparklyGrandma Wed 30-Aug-17 17:11:08

Well I have enjoyed both episodes of the new series...I am very glad its back.

A friend has told me that they are reading the new book and that its good.

devongirl Wed 30-Aug-17 14:45:35

Have they?! in the books Adelina won't come in to work for him because she doesn't like Livia, and M misses out on all her delicious food!

Deedaa Wed 30-Aug-17 14:27:12

I think he's really in for trouble if Livia and Adelina have made friends!

devongirl Tue 29-Aug-17 22:26:05

My rubbish memory Deedaa! Still I liked the to-and-fro with Livia who I feel an instinctive dislike of!

Deedaa Tue 29-Aug-17 22:01:18

Devongirl the Swedish girl is Ingrid. I think he probably rations her appearances because there's a limit to how many times they could meet without ending up in bed and that would ruin the entire relationship.

It is a new series MawBroon but I think these are based on short stories so lacking a bit in plot compared with the novels.

MawBroon Mon 28-Aug-17 10:05:37

Was this second one really a "new" series? It was all so familiar, I was sure it was a repeat.
Sadly the characters seemed to have morphed into caricatures of themselves, the women -young and old-are stereotypes and the whole thing is just clunky.
Makes Hamish Macbeth look like CSI , I cannot imagine what I used to see in it sad

devongirl Mon 28-Aug-17 10:04:41

Actually in the books I miss Catarella always slamming the door when he went into Montalbano's office Also there was a Swedish woman (Astrid) who featured in several books, I don't know what happened to her, she just vanished.

lemongrove Mon 28-Aug-17 10:02:31

There are elements of slapstick, can Catarella ever open a door without a fuss?
Mimi looks really old and tired, perhaps the actor isn't well?
The second programme was better than the first and quite absorbing I found.

devongirl Sun 27-Aug-17 21:41:22

I LOVE the books but don't watch the TV series cos I saw a bit of one and Montelbano wasn't at all like I imagined, in fact I thought the whole thing was a bit slapstick, whereas the books are brilliantly written, really funny and great on Italian food! - never did like the sound of Livia personally! I really admire Camilleri's anti-Mafia stance too.

Deedaa Sun 27-Aug-17 21:17:39

I would recommend the books to anyone who hasn't read them. Camilleri goes more deeply into Italian politics that the TV series does.