[Favourite of the Month][Spoiler-free review] The amazing Audrey Fleurot (Spiral, A French Village) is back in HPI. The 8 x 52-minute second season of French private channel TF1's record-breaking comedy/crime drama continues this thursday with episodes 3 & 4.
Created by Alice Chegaray-Breugnot and Nicolas Jean — two of the creators of La Mante — with Stéphane Carrié (1), HPI established itself as a ratings phenomenon in France and Belgium during spring 2021 when its first 8 x 52 minute season broke historic records (2) and ranked amongst the most watched dramas in Europe. Sold in 90 countries, the series confirmed its status with the start of the second season on May 12th as the premiere drew 9.25 million viewers to TF1 (41.8%). Audrey Fleurot shines as Morgane Alvaro, a mother of three (from two different fathers) with a disdain for authority and a 160 I.Q. that makes her HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel). She was a cleaning lady at the commissariat de Lille until Commissaire Céline Hazan noticed her abilities and offered her a consultant job in the team of Commandant Adam Karadec.
The no-nonsense Karadec tries to adapt his style of policing to the red tornado, as genius as she's uncontrollable. The actors alongside Audrey Fleurot are excellent: Mehdi Nebbou, who worked for Steven Spielberg or Ridley Scott and appeared on German TV in Allmen and Tatort and in the U.S. drama Homeland, plays Adam Karadec. Céline Hazan is played by Marie Denarnaud (La malédiction du volcan). The other regulars are Bruno Sanches (Gilles Vandraud), Bérangère McNeese (Daphné Forestier), Cypriane Gardin (Théa) (3), Noé Vandevoorde (Eliott), Cédric Chevalme (Ludovic Mullier) and Christopher Bayemi (Luther) as Dr. Bonnemain. Clotilde Hesme (Lupin) joins them as Commandant Roxane Ascher, of the internal affairs. The eagerly awaited second season, filmed between October 2021 and March 2022, goes on with the excellent Made in France (Episode 3) and the brilliant Enfant de (Episode 4).
In Made in France, Morgane Alvaro must follow a training course on police work with the Major exceptionnel Lenormand. While in the Police secours service, she takes a weird call from an old lady who's found dead hours later. A dress leads Karadec and Alvaro to a 50-year old cold case. Gilles would like Morgane, Ludo and their family to leave his home. Roxane wants to invite Karadec to dinner. Morgane and the major go undercover. Written by Julian Anscutter, Marion Carnel and Alice Chegaray-Breugnot. The last scene is a perfect example of Audrey Fleurot's talent. The guest cast includes two fabulous actors: Jean-Michel Lahmi as Lenormand and Cédric Le Maoût as "Jérôme 2 de tension" (4). Also with Lara Guirao (Lucie Morvan), David Ayala (Marc Maurin), Nicolette Picheral (Nicole Guerroni), Sylvie Granotier (Madame Sarah), etc. With the participation of Michèle Moretti as Agnès Alvaro. Christopher Bayemi is absent from this episode.
In Enfant de, the dead body of a teenager is found burnt in a barn destroyed by arson. Morgane wants to know who's Karadec new love interest. The poor commandant is almost turned into a kebab. A cow has vanished and Eliott works for his mother. Morgane is at a turning point in her relationship with Ludo. Scriptwriters David Robert, Eloïse Tibet-Zanini and Alice Chegaray-Breugnot tackle a delicate subject with subtlety. With Antoine Gourlier (Théo Beliard), Elsa Bouchain (Karine Beliard), Éric Bougnon (Laurent Beliard), Gwenaëlle Orfila (Valentin Beliard), Louis Berthélémy (Gabriel), etc. Episodes 3 & 4 directed by Vincent Jamain. Story arc by Alice Chegaray-Breugnot, Julien Anscutter and Stéphane Carrié. Produced by Septembre Productions and Itinéraire Productions with TF1 and the participation of Salto (the French streaming service).
Co-produced by Be-Films, RTBF (Télévision belge), Umedia, Pictanovo and RTS Radio Télévision Suisse. Filmed with the support of Région Hauts-de-France. Jean Nainchrik, Anthony Lancret and Pierre Laugier are the line producers. Patrice Onfray exec produces. Produced by Anthony Lancret, Pierre Laugier and Bérengère Legrand. Music by Yannis Dumoutiers. Cinematography by Benjamin Louet. Editing by Nicolas Reydon (Made in France), Pascal Jauffres (Enfant de). Main title design by Brett & Cie (Crimes parfaits). Graphic animations by La Brigade du Titre. Visual effects by Super 35 Productions and Umedia. Supported by the Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral de Belgique and the investors of the Tax Shelter, with uFund. High Intellectual Potential (the international title of HPI) is distributed by Newen Connect. Seasons 1 & 2 are available on Salto. Season 1 is available on DVD thanks to UGC.
1 comment:
Probably the best-written, best-directed, best-acted series I have seen in years. Fleurot ( simply amazing!) and Meddou are great! And the show is not shallow, but beautifully crafted, with real depth to the narratives for each episode.
Just wish the DVD's could be released earlier, and that a third season is in the cards.
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