Netflix's French period mystery series, 'Summer '36,' has been met with criticism for its convoluted plot, which reviewers argue detracts from the central murder mystery. The series, set during the first summer of paid vacation time for France's working class in 1936, unfolds on the French Riviera.
The narrative centers on the murder of prosecutor Adrien Jacquart at a swanky resort in Nice. Twenty hours prior to the discovery of his body, Jacquart is seen interacting with various characters, including Louis, the teenage son of unionized factory worker Eugénie Berthier. Jacquart is struck by Louis's resemblance to himself. Meanwhile, Léonie Morel, whose father is on death row for a murder he claims he did not commit, hopes to enlist Jacquart's help to reopen the case. Léonie has recently begun a job as a police assistant.
Further complicating the narrative are the intertwined relationships and histories of several women connected to Jacquart. Business magnate Henri Pontavice-Caron attempts to reconcile with his estranged daughter Eugénie, expressing a desire for her son, Louis, to be his heir. Jacquart also claims Louis as his son, having been engaged to Eugénie two decades prior. Adding to the complexity, Jacquart is secretly involved with Henri's daughter, Blanche Ackerman, who is also Eugénie's sister. The hotel's head of housekeeping, Giulia Vincent, harbors resentment towards Jacquart due to a significant debt from a poker game, leading her to steal money from the hotel bar. Giulia is also Léonie's half-sister.
Reviewers found the sheer number of characters and their intricate relationships difficult to follow, particularly noting that Eugénie, Blanche, and Giulia are similar in age and appearance. The series, created by Marie Deshaires and Catherine Touzet, is described as visually appealing with attractive scenery and costumes, but its story is deemed harder to follow than typical period mysteries. The numerous side stories and sibling relationships, while potentially relevant, are seen as serving primarily to confuse viewers and distract from the core investigation led by police Captain Alphonse Raven and Léonie.
Despite the praise for performances by Sofia Essaïdi as Eugénie, Julie de Bona as Blanche, and Nolwenn Leroy as Giulia, the series' complexity is highlighted as a significant drawback. The review suggests that the intricate plot, especially for a six-episode limited series, hinders the development of the central mystery, potentially causing viewers to disengage before the conclusion.
'Summer '36' is available on Netflix. IMAGE2