Requiem Rose
So having watched all the other McBride movies I finally get to the 10th and what appears to be the last in the series "McBride: Requiem". I say appears to be the last as it doesn't have the feel of a planned finale which delivers an ending, just another episode which makes me think the network decided to call it a day after this one was shown. As for "McBride: Requiem", well with a minor deviation from the formula it is pretty much as entertaining as those 9 other "McBride" movies with John Larroquette, Marta DuBois and Matt Lutz delivering pretty much what we have come to expect. I say pretty much because there is less humour in "McBride: Requiem" and at times even seems serious but it doesn't spoil its easy to watch style.
When top violinist Ava Fletcher (Josie Davis) is found murdered in her dressing room, Det. Roberta Hansen (Marta DuBois) finds her coming under increasing pressure from her superiors to charge Ava's boyfriend Jackson Sumner (Tom Parker) as Ava's father is a senator and dislikes him. But something doesn't feel right and so Roberta calls on McBride (John Larroquette) to speak to Jackson who also believes that he is innocent. As McBride and assistant Phil (Matt Lutz) start snooping around it becomes clear that Ava had several male admirers and jealous rivals within the orchestra all of who could have done it.
So with this being the 10th "McBride" movie the simplest thing I can say is that if you have seen any of the other movies this one follows suit with everything building to the big court case where just before it seems all is lost McBride cracks the case. Like the previous "McBride" movie it does deviate slightly and for once there is no opening courtroom drama at all and gets straight into the story. For those who have yet to watch a "McBride" movie well these are easy watching movies where it isn't about some clever crime solving or gritty realism but the charm of the actors to entertain and the fun of McBride solving things at the last min as if he was a magician.
Having said all that "McBride: Requiem" does feel a little different to the other movies and lacks a lot of the humour which had been a big part of its charm. It is still light weight fun and there is some humour in there but a lot less than had been the case. We also have stress because for the first time we have what comes close to real drama as Roberta is pressured by her superior to charge Jackson with murder despite a lack of evidence to make it stick. Whilst not majorly gritty it does allow Marta DuBois to shine as Roberta as she comes under pressure.
Aside from Marta DuBois getting to shine John Larroquette and Matt Lutz seems strangely sombre in this movie, not morbid but without the humorous tones they do some across more serious. It doesn't spoil things because Larroquette and Lutz make for a good double act and are always fun to watch but it doesn't feel quite right. Aside from are returning trio which are accompanied by returning performances from Jeff Harlan as the D.A. and Charles Robinson as Judge Jeffries the most striking performance comes from Josie Davis as Ava and that is because Josie Davies has captivating and unforgettable eyes.
What this all boils down to is that "McBride: Requiem" does have a few differences to the previous movies in the franchise but it is still light weight fun. Currently it is the last in the franchise and I don't suppose there will be anymore now but it certainly doesn't feel like it was planned as the final movie.
Tags: McBride Movies, TV Mystery Movie Crime Solvers
