This evening, the first channel is launching “Commandant Saint-Barth”, its new detective series in which Florent Peyre plays the main role. Is this fiction filmed in Guadeloupe worth watching?
What is it about?
“Commander Saint-Barthélémy is back on the paradise island of his childhood. And barely arrived, he already has a crime to solve. Young Tina was found drowned… at the top of a coconut tree. Who was mad at this sunny and helpful beach attendant?
On the private beach where she worked, she took advantage of VIP clients to supplement her income in an unexpected way… Fortunately, Saint-Barth, who grew up in the most legendary resort on the island, has a somewhat fanciful method but infallible for resolving investigations…“
The series Commander Saint-Barth is broadcast from Thursday November 21 on TF1, from 9:10 p.m. It is also available on TF1+.
Who is it with?
Comedian Florent Peyre plays the main character in a series for the first time alone. Here he plays opposite Philypa Phoenix (George Mondésir), Yannig Samot (Auguste Ventura), Joyce Bibring (Avril Rosier) and Margot Heckmann (Lou Rosier).
But that's not all because they also share the screen with Roxane Bret (Charlie Koster), Nathanaël Beausivoir (Théo Solveg), Matthias Van Khache (Clothaire Rosier), Clarisse Lhoni-Botte (Déborah Cazaux), Elodie Frenck ( Diane Baccara), Oscar Copp (Mathieu Babin) and Etienne Diallo (Kaïto Mendes).
Season 1 of Commandant Saint-Barth was written by authors Anouk Filippini, Eric Eider, Hugo Nathan-Murat, Ivan Piettre, Alexandra Julhiet, Mercedes Delta, Charlene Galan and Laurent Vignon. Director Denis Thybaud took care of the direction of the six episodes.
Is it worth a look?
Immediate boarding alongside Commander Saint-Barth, direction… the police station. But not just anywhere! In this new detective series, TF1 viewers discover Florent Peyre in the shoes of a cop with a difficult past, returning to his native island paradise…
Here, the comedian inevitably recalls Magnum (the private detective from the cult series) or even Mel Gibson's character in 'Lethal Weapon' thanks to his devastating smile, his Hawaiian shirts or even his charming facial expressions.
Gabriel, the protagonist he plays, is positive and unifying. He also has a certain sense of humor!
However, our hero has been tormented for years because of the death of his father, which occurred in unclear circumstances… Returning to this place, he also crosses paths with his ex with whom things do not seem completely resolved. Moreover, she hid a big secret from him…
Commandant Saint-Barth is therefore a fiction that is sometimes funny and sometimes more dramatic, a first for Florent Peyre in this type of project. We feel his investment through the screen: the comedian gives everything of himself (and shows a lot in the shower, too!) to be touching and amusing. The main person also doesn't forget to fully participate in the stunts!
Finally, the setting in which the series takes place (filming took place in Guadeloupe) is absolutely sublime and provides a good dose of escape as winter approaches in France. Unfortunately, Commandant Saint-Barth presents, alongside these good points, some big flaws…
It's difficult to stand out these days in the detective series genre as there is so much on offer. If the style of the series is established thanks to certain aspects mentioned above, it nevertheless lacks originality and does not offer anything particularly innovative.
We also regret that the jokes often struggle to hit the mark and that the writing of the supporting roles is not more subtle.
Despite everything, Commandant Saint-Barth and Florent Peyre should appeal to the TF1 audience, a big fan of this type of fiction. In the event of season 2, however, we hope for more spice under the sun!
