The Last Wave

I enjoyed this unexpected gem. At times, the pace of the movie I found a bit slow but overall I must admit the story kept me interested. I thought the acting was fine - maybe at times overacted by some in the cast but hey, as far as TV mini series I've seen far worse. This piece managed to maintain interest, I found the various subplots interesting and unlike other reviewers, I didn't consider the inhabitants of this small coastal town boring at all. Perhaps a bit soap operaish however, I'd recommend this as great light-entertainment viewing.

Found this one quite by accident. I really enjoyed the story line, loved the characters and was hooked from the first episode. Watched all 6 in one day. Loved it!!

This is by no measure essential viewing. However, it is an easy and quite compelling watch. There's a bit of an different scenario going on but the easy for themselves by not explaining anything and definitely not giving any answers so the narrative just goes along at it's own pace and without the obstacle of having to have any final revelation or resolution.

But, if you are looking for an Eco-warning drama that is not to taxing yet keeps you interested in it's little intricacies then this is for you. The characters are a little wooden and their portrayal not always the most natural but in a series that is not meant to be realistic I don't suppose that matters.

Six episodes, well produced, that will just about keep your interest... dive in

Not being French and relying subtitles, I was hooked from the word go and there has to be something in it for me to continue watching. If the acting was that bad then I wouldn't watch it, but there were moments when you forgave a few things and I blame the director for that. The director of any movie/series, is the most important person and if he lets bad acting fly in, then it's his rep that's on the line. The story has good premise, there is a little over acting in some parts, but you let that go, with a roll of the eyes. There are moments where the 'pause is too long' and times you want to strangle the script writer with some of the dialogue, (subtitle translation) but you are drawn in to the story and you forgive these things. The acting was fine, the story good, and leaves you with a sense that there would be another season, or happy with the ending as is. I watch a lot of movies and series, and I can tell you that the ratings of many of these are incredible, and as for this show, I think a 7 is fair. I found it good, and it kept me watching... isn't that what is all about.

I had this recorded but looking at the reviews I nearly didn't bother - (I'm French living abroad for the record) A lot of French series have left me cold, particularly The Revenants, a boring piece where every female character seems only fit to break nails or whinge on a manly man's shoulder - and this was compared unfavourably to it.

Anyway I'm glad I gave it a try anyway. It's a paranormal psychological thriller, with an ecological theme I suppose. The characters are maybe a bit clichéd, but they are well developed* and evolve accordingly. Like real French people, with French lives, French concerns and problems. There is excellent suspense throughout - I'm itching to see the last two episodes. It's absolutely nothing to do with a soap like someone said. Another said it's unbelievable the whole of France wouldn't be there gawking, with social media and all, but really, what is there for the media to get excited about?? A funny cloud, such as get 3k lackadaisical likes on Facebook, and ten people missing for a few hours but found again. No, no outsider would see anything bizarre. Yet bizarre it certainly is. There's also nothing wrong with any of the acting. Some people just can't cope with subtitles or anything different. It's the "act like real people" school of series, and they are believable as real people. And the lead actor is excellent.

*through the nature of the plot and what's happening, they all experience extreme changes in their lives and behaviour. This is very well done. But you'll have to watch a bit more than one episode.

Personally I highly recommend. And it's really easy viewing, don't expect boring intense intellectual stuff à la Nouvelle Vague: it's France télévision series made for family evening viewing (bear in mind there is a normal French level of sex and partial nudity: it's important to the plot anyway)

7¾