It's Black & White for Gray
So for those who have to watch a "McBride" movie what we have is something akin to "Diagnosis Murder" and "Quincy" except we have a lawyer who with his easy going charm and tenacity, solves crimes whilst doing his job as a defence layer. These "McBride" movies are not gritty, realistic or dramatic but have a humorous tone with John Larroquette delivering many smile moments as Mike McBride. As for "McBride: It's Murder, Madam" the third of the ten "McBride" movies well it follows the formula of the previous movies with McBride along with assistant Phil and sort of girlfriend Sgt. Roberta Hansen solving the murder of a Madam to prove a woman innocent. And like the previous "McBride" movies "McBride: It's Murder, Madam" is entertaining if obvious but then in a way you watch these movies not for the crime but the amusement of McBride and Phil solving it.
Having just got off the bus from Nebraska Marilyn Fletcher (Claire Coffee) pays Heather Bronson (Sarah Buxton) a visit as a friend had given her Heather's name as someone who could find her work. What Marilyn doesn't know is that Heather is a Madam and after innocently going out on a dinner date with one of her clients only to find out he expected more Marilyn returns to Heather's in a rage but finds her dead on the floor. Arrested and lumbered with a useless lawyer McBride (John Larroquette - McBride: Murder Past Midnight) decides to take over her case believing that Marilyn is innocent and as he and Phil (Matt Lutz - McBride: The Chameleon Murder) start snooping around they discover that Heather was blackmailing some high profile clients who all had a motive to silence her.
So as already mentioned the real appeal of "McBride: It's Murder, Madam" is that it is an easy going crime drama with a humorous tone rather than the actual crime which is being solved which to be honest in this case is quite obvious. But whilst it is easy to predict who the real murderer is there is the fun of McBride and Phil snooping around as they track down 3 clients who Heather had been blackmailing. From a mayor whose wife had once worked for Heather to a heart throb actor who is secretly homosexual there is the expected fun side to this mystery with both McBride and Phil finding themselves in some comically dodgy situations. I suppose if truth be told it is a bit disappointing that you can guess who the real murderer is so early on because of a certain casting choice because there are some nicely put elements which could have created a bit of mystery if someone else had been cast.
Talking of the casting John Larroquette, Marta DuBois and Matt Lutz just keep on getting better and better in their roles with great chemistry but also great comedy. Larroquette has always reminded me a bit of Steve Martin and more than ever in this movie with those comically inquisitive looks providing plenty of laughs whilst Matt Lutz ends up stealing many a scene basically because he ends up coming a cropper more often. Aside from our returning trio the only significant other casting is Linda Gray as Victoria Sawyer and it is always nice to see Gray in a movie even if her character has no depth at all.
What this all boils down to is that "McBride: It's Murder, Madam" is entertaining in that easy going afternoon crime drama sort of way. Basically if you enjoyed the first two "McBride" movies you are sure to enjoy "McBride: It's Murder, Madam" as well even though this one is more obvious than ever.
Tags: McBride Movies, TV Mystery Movie Crime Solvers
