Most helpful customer reviews
|
|
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
Unsatisfactory., Jul 12 2004
Most television adaptations of iconic mystery sleuths are faithful to the source material but the casting is usually the problem, but it is the opposite here--Chaykin and Hutton are well cast and the basic mystery plot is followed but, and I'll blame all the following to Hutton, as from the credits, he seems to be the creative impetus behind this series, there are some issues I have which outweigh any positives--for one, the decision was made to use a static cast of actors (i.e.: James Tolkin) who change characters every episode, like some sort of theater rep company--you may see an occasional guest star, such as Carrie Fisher, but due to this constant acting "troupe", the effect is intrusive and not a little pretentious--another problem is altho I have said the main roles are well-cast, the portrayals are not well-done--the forces behind the series have seemed to forgotten that Wolfe was well-travelled and schooled in life (and skinny!) before settling down to a sedentary life--as one of the Amazon reviews describes him in this portrayal, "a man-child"--a "BOY-MAN?!" Granted, making a portrayal based on the books/stories is difficult at best, but Chaykin has either been coached or on his own decided to play Wolfe as some sort of petulant innocent with an overinflated ego, brain and waistline, while sacrificing his knowledge of the outside world and the vagaries of man as seen in the writings--therefore, this leaves plenty of acting room for Hutton's Goodwin to belittle (vice badger) and humiliate (vice needle) Chaykin's Wolfe constantly through the series--for these reasons alone I cannot recommend this series as definitive adaptations but will label it as a noble failure and still await the next and, I hope, more successful effort.Oh, and if the above wasn't enough, Inspector Cramer would NEVER man-handle Wolfe the way he does at the end of the conclusion of "Motherhunt"--I was still debating buying this set even after considering all the aforementioned until I saw THAT which was the last straw...
|
|
|
I loved the books; I love the series, Sep 13 2005
I read books for entertainment and am not one well versed in criticism. I got hooked on Wolfe years ago while travelling a lot. I would haunt used book stores searching for volumes I did not have. What a thrill when I found another one. I even bought his cook book. The griddle cakes were magnificent.I missed the series on A&E, not having cable, and felt that similar thrill when I saw the series DVDs on Amazon. I bought the 1st year. I set the stage: dim lights, popcorn (with buck-wheat honey & butter to taste), my feet up and my sweetheart in Tennessee. I pushed play, and was thrilled with what I saw. The casting was right on. Wolfe, of course, had to be right or the whole effect would have been lost. He was. Archie is a little thin, at least according to my imagination, but the whole experience of the first episode left me completely satisfied. Were some of the mannerisms not quite right? Not that I could see, nor would I care. It was great entertainment. I'm buying year two.
|
|
|
Rex Stout would be proud, Jul 17 2004
If you like the books you will enjoy watching this series. Entertaining and faithful Rex Stout's unique writting style. I just wish A&E had continued adapting the books to film
|
Share your thoughts with other customers: 
|
|
Most recent customer reviews
|
(8 customer reviews)
See all 8 customer reviews...
(
