Curtiz (2018)

Curtiz: Directed by Tamas Yvan Topolanszky. With Ferenc Lengyel, Evelin Dobos, Declan Hannigan, Scott Alexander Young. As America prepares to enter WW2, Hungarian film director Michael Curtiz grapples with political intervention and a dysfunctional relationship with his estranged daughter amid the troubled production of Casablanca in 1942.

“u0026#39;Monku0026#39; has always been one of my most watched shows when needing comfort, to relax after a hard day, a good laugh or a way to spend a lazy weekend.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAfter the underwhelming previous episode u0026quot;Mr Monk Goes Campingu0026quot; (the second worst of Season 8 to me after u0026quot;Mr Monk and the UFOu0026quot;), u0026quot;Mr Monk is the Best Manu0026quot; is a huge improvement and sees Season 8 back on track with its best episode since u0026quot;Mr Monk and the Foreign Manu0026quot;. It is near-classic u0026#39;Monku0026#39;, with so much here that is so good about u0026#39;Monku0026#39; in the first place especially when at its very best. There could have been more prominence on the murder agreed and TK could have had more development to her, we have met her twice in the season and her development has been very thin to put it lightly. Other than that, u0026quot;Mr Monk is the Best Manu0026quot; is great.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe mystery is a very good one here, one of the best of the eighth season easily and the best one since u0026quot;Mr Monk and the Voodoo Curseu0026quot;. Unlike u0026quot;Mr Monk Goes Campingu0026quot;, it actually feels like there is one, some of it is quite suspenseful and keeps one guessing, and it is one that isnu0026#39;t too simple or obvious, neither is it confusing. The deductions and investigations are closer to u0026quot;classicu0026quot; u0026#39;Monku0026#39; and the denouement is clever and surprising.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eEven more successful are the character moments, some of the most delightful of the season and of the later u0026#39;Monku0026#39; episodes. Love how Monk takes his best man duties seriously and how everybody of the four regulars has plenty to do and are true to character. There is plenty of humour, with the funniest moments being the whole bachelor party stuff (hilarious) and Carol Kaneu0026#39;s deliciously eccentric and wonderfully nuts turn as a florist in a scene reminiscent of u0026#39;Monku0026#39;su0026#39; glory days. Disher is also the funniest heu0026#39;s been in a while. There are touching moments too, the ending is very sweet and to me the relationship between TK and Stottlemeyer is generally more emotionally investable than when it was first introduced due to that there is more chemistry between the two and Virginia Madsen has more personality.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eOne of the best things about u0026#39;Monku0026#39; has always been Tony Shalhoub, who was as Monk consistently one of the best things about every episode regardless of what material is thrown at him.. It was essential for him to work and be the glue of the show, and Shalhoub not only is that but also at his very best he IS the show. Have always loved the balance of the humour, which is often hilarious, and pathos, which is sincere and touching.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eTraylor Howard is sassy and sympathetic, Jason Gray-Stanford has fun comic timing and is likable and in particular Ted Levine is amusing but gets to show more dramatic chops than he has been able to do all season. Madsen is pretty good considering what sheu0026#39;s given to work with, while Teri Polo convinces and doesnu0026#39;t overplay or underact her role. Kane is the supporting standout though.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eHumour, pathos, mystery and intrigue are beautifully balanced here in u0026quot;Mr Monk is the Best Manu0026quot; and all four components executed to a high standard.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eVisually, the episode is slick and stylish as ever with some lovely scenery. The music is both understated and quirky. While there is a preference for the theme music for Season 1, Randy Newmanu0026#39;s u0026quot;Itu0026#39;s a Jungle Out Thereu0026quot; has grown on me overtime, found it annoying at first but appreciate its meaning and what itu0026#39;s trying to say much more now.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eIn conclusion, excellent and one of the seasonu0026#39;s best episodes. 9/10 Bethany Cox”