Everything is going well.
- Okay?! Now this half-sleepy detective wants to talk to me! He suspects me and you say it's okay?
The last series authored by Vincent McAvety, in its own way puts an end to the adventures of Colombo. The remaining three series are rather a protracted farewell to the beloved lieutenant, but it is Colombo's Law that places all the dots on the i, even if it does not demonstrate the wife of the main character. How can I say that? After all, Peter Falk’s real wife played a leading role in this series. I will say more, it is very possible that if this series did not see the light of day, we would never have received a series of novels about Dexter Morgan, and at the same time the series of the same name. But everything is in order.
Clifard Kelard is a businessman and a real Texan. A black broad-brimmed hat, an expensive cigar in the teeth, an unfriendly disposition and a disgusting sense of humor are attached. Naturally, such a person will have many enemies and envious. One of them is the tenacious broker Howard Selser, who was going to sue the harsh Texan for what and got a fist in the jaw. Oh, no, don't think about it, Clifard didn't kill the broker with one punch. This is peculiar only to Chuck Norris, but it was the first pebble that subsequently brought down an avalanche.
Clifard's wife, Caitlin, is tired of her barbarian husband, and therefore seeks adventure on the side. She even has a lover Patrick, ready to do everything for the beautiful maid. That's it. The latter knows about this, and therefore asks his lover to kill Howard Selser, and then blame all the blame on Clifard. He agrees and, moreover, commits an almost perfect crime. Tossing a couple of circumstantial pieces of evidence, disposing of the murder weapon without being noticed. Who is this Patrick? Oh, this is the most interesting thing. Patrick Kingsley is a criminologist who worked in the police for fifteen years and is well versed in the psychology of people. Oh, and it's not easy to unravel Colombo. Not easy at all.
This is just the tip of the iceberg. By itself, the investigation keeps in suspense, the benefit of the plot develops quite unpredictable for this series, the musical accompaniment caresses the ear, so each of the actors is laid out to the full, creating a memorable image. That the hero of Barry Corbyn, who played a harsh Texan, who at the beginning does not cause sympathy at all, but the longer the film lasts, the more you begin to sympathize with him. Yes, not quite an honest businessman ... you can think honest. Yes, his character resembles a bear with a sick tooth, which fell into a trap with his foot - he will nail and not notice. But nevertheless, he struggles to the end, even realizing that he lost and nothing can be done. He fights because he can't do anything else. What about David Rush’s hero, Patrick, a cold-blooded, collected and very violent man who hides his true feelings behind a faint smile and expressionless eyes. Yes, I know that teenagers in horror movies also have nothing to express the look, but here it is part of the image, played coolness and this character Rush bribes. Well, the duo from Peter Falk and Shera Danese is as beautiful as ever, even if one catches the other.
I was not disappointed by the comedy component either. How's the comedy? No one was the comedy Columbo, but always or almost always the show managed to bring a smile. This series is no exception, because the one thing that the hero of Peter Falk is presented as a mournful kleptomaniac, dragging everything that lies badly, is worth a lot. No, of course, much of what the lieutenant borrowed was necessary for the investigation, but not all. Not everything.
You can talk about dialogue for a long time, but I will give one example and you will understand everything: Lieutenant Colombo turns for help to another hero, whom I will not tell, because the spoiler. He asks for help, says you need to follow the reaction of the suspect and the phrase goes something like this: “Three eyes are better than one.” This is a very good phrase, because throughout the series, it was never mentioned that Colombo has a glass eye, as well as the actor who played him. Peter Falk tried his best to make his face live so that the fixed right eye would not be noticeable. And for the most part, he succeeded. Peter Falk so strongly infected everyone present with his energy, so well played that it was almost invisible. Here you go. Either this phrase is the collapse of the “fourth wall”, or the director decided to add the last detail to the image of Colombo. Still, the absent-minded detective for many viewers became forever associated with Peter Falk. Oh, I wanted to talk about dialogue, but it turned out about the praise of the leading actor, well, what to do if I love with all my heart a movie with the participation of Peter Falk?
Outcome? Interesting, exciting and even funny series in which everything is in its place and there is nothing superfluous. All lovers of detectives are highly recommended to read.
8 out of 10