Bulletproof Heart

Entertaining series about a retired journalist, Bruno, and his team that solve cases where the accused is innocent with the cooperation of local law enforcement. Other than the daughter, Maggalena, I enjoyed the series and most of the characters. If her goal was to annoy the audience, she succeeded. The role could have been cast better. The other characters were likeable, especially Bruno, and added to the series whether being a quirky couple in the news room or those Bruno finds innocent. It would have been wise to end at Season 2 rather than change the cast and make Maggalena more annoying than necessary.

It is hard to find "murder mysteries" that have a good cast and know how to strike that tone of "solve the case", and enjoy the ride. This one does. The journalist turned cold case solver premise works quite well. Teaming him up with a daughter he never knew he had really works. The kid playing her son is very cute and likeable too. I enjoy shows where the cast is obviously having a good time. Many times you can see smiles ready to burst out in scenes.

Likeable characters. And the lead characters are very likeable. Great acting, directing, casting. Plots all make sense .. albeit somewhat farfetched (but that's par for the course with just about every mystery series). And, ironically, although farfetched, some of the twists are predictable (others not). Calling this a 'mystery' series doesn't do it justice. Nor would calling it an 'investigative journalism' series. There are lots of family relationships covered as well. This is mostly a feel good kind of series. Unfortunately the episodes are all approx. 90 minutes, which is more than I like (but others might). I also feel that I know Italy a bit better having seen this series (and having actually been to Italy) - what with the cinematography, and dialogue.

The worst aspect of European police shows is the whining daughter that's gorgeous and wants everything bought for her, like an apartment or a pottery studio, because daddy wasn't home much.

This show is the worst because it has the whining daughter get a job and three apartments plus the love of the cop and they all chase her around telling her how much they love her while she complains. On a scooter. Then there's a minor mystery in there somewhere.

I wish it were better because it should be.

If you are look for a tight crime drama, look elsewhere. The dénouement of each episode consists of the villain, no matter how crafty or hardened, confessing under the mildest of pressure. You will soon learn to dread this part of the show.

With that out of the way, these stories are wonderful. The acting of the ensemble is first-rate, led by the protagonist, Gigi Proietti (in the role of Bruno Palmieri). The interplay of the main characters is graceful, the storylines very funny and human. Yes, there's a bit of predictability to the gags, but to see light comedy played so deftly is a treat. It's like watching the cast of the old Rumpole series (though without Mortimer's darker undertones. There are no agonizingly painful marriages of the Horace/Hilda type here.)

This is comfort food, but beautifully created well served up. You want to spend your time with these people and feel the better for having done so. Proietti is insanely talented. He makes light comedy seem effortless, which is far from the case.