Le secret de la grotte

I was mixed about this show (obviously part of the Murder In... series, although packaged as a movie). The plot was straightforward at first, but got more complicated toward the end.

The plot involves the finding of a historic cave with cave paintings on it and a replica cave built for tourists. This truly exists in France. We had just been reading about it and it was nice to see it in a plot.

The story did get a little hallmark-ey ad I do feel that corners were cut getting the plot all sewn up and neatly tied together for the end.

Two very strong points of this show; first, the chemistry of the two lead actors and second, the absolutely stunning scenery. It's the best scenery yet of the many episodes of this series. Took my breath away.

The gendarmerie captain Manon Ferret-Duval and the gendarmerie captain Riad Lekcir have to work together in the case of the murder of Paul Cousin: Manon's parents have been killed some year ago and the brother of Riad has been accused for this murder and committed suicide. First suspect: Philippe Mercier who acknowledges that he had troubles with Paul Cousin and burned the boats of Paul Cousin. Then appears the character of Xavier Berg, one of the discoverers of the grotto with Paul Cousin and Serge Locatelli. The team meet also the guide Elise Perrot. Some hours later Xavier Berg is killed near the grotto. Little by little Manon and Riad notice that that the murders of Paul Cousin and Xavier Berg are connected with the the murders of Manon's parents.

I enjoyed the performances of Élodie Varlet, Samy Gharbi, Anne Girouard, Nicolas de Broglie, Franck Adrien, Serge Riaboukine, Catherine Davernier, Guillaume Bouchède, Eric Savin, Crole Richert, Baya Belal Slimane Benaïissa and Evelyne Cervera.

I was not exactly enthusiastic about its first part. The French policier recipe of last decade was so faithful used than no surprises, reveation, realistic details.

But the spice saved it.

A murder from 25 years ago, new murders and the connections between them.

Sure, unrealism in large doses but the last scenes, the girls, the father hiding the stuffs of son , the father covering the murder of his boy are reasonable things working not so bad.

Like the relation between main characters, reminding romcom rules in satisfied manner .

The good detail- the cave and its paintings , the fragment odf story tod to children by guide and the so familiar revenge after decades.

In short, many holes, a lot of unrealism. But, still, a decent policier.