Z/Web

Author: Lee Goldberg

Much better than Mr. Monk Goes to Germany, though peripherally similar. This one takes place in Paris but has a much more satisfying murder investigation, though there’s still much too much tedium about Monk in a foreign country and Natalie writing about visiting tourist landmarks. The plot is a bit novel in that Monk “witnesses” a murder in pitch black restaurant and figures out that everything’s linked to the “Freegans,” a group of hippies who live underneath Paris and live off trash that others throw away (a lot of gourmet food, considering it’s Paris). Clever and interesting, though the books are starting to feel too similar. (Of note: I read the Kindle edition of this on my iPhone!)

At one time (before I was disillusioned) I considered becoming a journalist; this film revived some of those desires, making it seem exciting and a terrific public service. The plot is fairly standard “journalist uncovers conspiracy” stuff, but it’s well-done and extremely realistic. We don’t get ridiculous car chases and shootouts and leaping from skyscrapers — these are writers, not action heros. There’s unfortunately not a lot of depth, ultimately, as the consequences and ramifications of the events are never analyzed, but it’s such an exciting ride you don’t notice until later. Worth seeing, though I’m not convinced this will become a classic or anything; the nature of the plot is uncovering the mystery and once that’s revealed, why would you want to watch this again? The ending’s got a nice twist; not exactly surprising, but satisfying.