This Italian series demonstrates that American TV is not the only small screen place where law enforcement antiheroes routinely flout police procedures while investigating grisly crimes. Inspector Luca Manara (Guido Caprino) solves murders to the beat of his own different drum. Sporting curly hair and driving a fast motorcycle, Manara comes across more like a playboy than an investigator, and his disregard for inconveniences such as a search warrant helps to quickly move mysteries along to their conclusions. Helping Manara with his investigations is former police academy colleague Lara (Roberta Giarrusso), arguably one of the sexiest women in the world of crime and punishment, Italian-style. Balancing out these pretty cops is Lara's wise old Aunt Caterina (Valeria Valeri), who adds senior-citizen comic relief while assisting the glamorous gun-and-badge duo. Inspector Manara was not really intended to be a comedy, but the plots are so ridiculously hackneyed that it's hard to watch without laughing. Too bad the producers didn't put the spotlight on scene-stealer Valeri and spin the program into an Italian riff on Miss Marple. Compiling all 12 episodes from the 2009 debut season, this is optional, at best. (P. Hall)
Inspector Manara: Season One
MHz, 4 discs, 634 min., in Italian w/English subtitles, not rated, DVD: $39.95 April 6, 2015
Inspector Manara: Season One
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