Mikes Film Talk

*Some Spoilers*

Monsieur Spade is very languid noir. Just when you thought it could not get any slower, it does. This somnambulistic pace does seem to work for the show. Spade (Owen) does have some very good lines in this one.”If you think I’m threatening you then whoever taught you English didn’t know a threat from a promise.” Splendid stuff.

The story so far

The six nuns are still dead, no dramatic rising from the “other side” here. The monk who killed them all is still, apparently searching for the boy. But the search has been delayed by his injuries.

*Side note: Last week was a tad confusing plot-wise, it seemed the monk was looking for Teresa.*

There are still a lot of flashbacks. Whether it is a younger Spade speaking to Philippe or Sam reliving another moment with his late wife, they are still present..

Teresa is growing up at an alarming rate. This languid noir pacing only applies to the young man Spade asked to “keep an eye on her.” Henri is playing the long game here. As his grand-mère quite rightly points out, Teresa is only 15. However, like any young man in love, he says she will be 18 soon enough. *And yes, to modern viewers this sounds suspiciously like grooming.*

The young boy the monk was so murderously looking for is found and delivered to a Muslim family. The boy’s name is Zayd. He is clearly hungry and does not speak. They agree to take him to the Imam.

Chief of Police Patrice Michaud takes Sam to meet the local Bishop. There he meets a fellow American. Things proceed at their languid pacing and Owen once again gets the best line. Upon meeting the American clergy, Spade asks where he is from. “New York City.” Spade replies “My condolences.” The noir may be slow, but the dialogue is still crisp and feels “off the cuff.”

shaking the tree

The meeting with the church officials helps to move this languid presentation. As is the way of all “Film” noir things get dark. Teresa tries on Sam’s late wife’s clothes as Brigitte Bardot sings. Sam plays a truncated version of twenty questions.

Later, Sam accuses Teresa of lying “like some people blink their eyes or inhale.” He learns that Philippe is close by and we learn the Arab family believe that Zayd could be The Mahdi. Marguerite has an unwelcome visitor again. Spade goes to the doctor and learns that his cigarettes are going to kill him.

He asks the doctor to speak with Audrey and tell her that Teresa has been shot. All the better to flush Philippe out of the underbrush.

The finale

Jean-Pierre lays everything on the table. The doctor visits Audrey. The message delivered to Audrey has a stunning effect. Philippe calls and Sam’s house is broken into. Teresa and Spade are now in danger. A very satisfying cliff hanger here and one that helps us to forgive the slowness of this episode.

All in all, a more expository episode than we have seen so far. The languid pacing of this noir detective show was, perhaps necessary to explain all the twists. Except the one dealing with the painter and his mother. And that shot in the dark.

Monsieur Spade streams Sundays on AMC.