Streaming telefilm - Fred Vargas' The Adamsberg Mysteries

Fred Vargas’ The Adamsberg Mysteries (originally, Sur la dalle) ***1/2 (out of 5) This two-part French telefilm might either be a one-and-done, or the pilot for a series of procedural films featuring police detective Adamsberg (Yvan Attal). I hope it’s the latter. The grizzled veteran is called to a town in Brittany by local top cop Mathieu (Olivier de Benoist) for help in solving some weird serial-style killings. They’d worked together before, so the reunion was a likely step in the sleuthing for this new challenge. The village had been home to the famous Chateaubriand as its only claim to fame. Though the family no longer owned their ancestral chateau, the last descendant, Josselin (Micha Lescot) would ponce around town in period apparel, posturing as the viscount he would have been in earlier times, providing photo ops for the tourists, and tolerant amusement to the locals.

The town’s culture was suffused with a strange superstition. Stepping on someone’s shadow would spell their doom. Some believed it with religious fervor, forming a cult of acolytes. While our cops are on the case, multiple killings occur tastefully off-camera, pointing to an arcane motive and method. The eccentric Josselin is a prime suspect. So much so that he regularly asks the cops why they’re not arresting him. He seems naïve, simultaneously taking his stagey persona seriously and recognizing its folly. Several other locals emerge as likely suspects or victims. It adds up to a colorful little batch of oddballs and customs.

When Adamsberg is summoned at the beginning, we see Corinne Masiero, oft-praised here for her delightfully eccentric eponymous character in the long-running Captain Marleau series), as a team member who is supposed to go there with him. But she bows out, barely to be seen again. She’s replaced by lovely Virginie Ledoyen as a newcomer to the squad. One may suppose she’s there for eye candy, but as events unfold, she proves to have a number of surprising and valuable skills to contribute. In fact, if they don’t knock out more of these movies for Adamsberg, they should consider spinning her off to a series of her own.

The story is adapted by Emmanuel Carrere from a novel by Fred Vargas (hence the title in the imported version). The cast is full of interestingly crafted and diverse characters; the screenplay has a suitable number of twists and surprises for such dramas, with touches of levity along the way. Director Josee Dayan makes good use of the Brittany environs, and keeps things moving at a satisfying pace. Definitely an easy and worthy watch.

(Fred Vargas’ Adamsberg Mysteries, in French with subtitles, streams on MHz Choice as of 5/12/26)