Lupin is more likeable than narcissist Sherlock Holmes
LET the headline not alarm you. I am a massive fan of Sherlock Holmes and particularly enjoyed the Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman iteration as the famed detective and his assistant. I watched as the role led to worldwide fame for the actors, making them almost impossible to pin down for new episodes of the show, sometimes making fans wait three years for new episodes.
I also loved the story and especially how they framed the subplot of Sherlock’s battles with the Napoleon of Crime, James Moriarty. But we can’t deny that Sherlock is a raging narcissist, who made it difficult sometimes to root for him.
But I can’t say the same about Netflix’s newest offering, Lupin. It is, without a doubt, one of the best shows of the year and we are still in January.
It has everything one needs in a TV drama. A strong lead in Omar Sy, a solid story and script, great supporting actors and performances; and a beautiful location in Paris, France, that has a character of its own. Add special effects, action sequences, a well-thought-out wardrobe, great direction and cinematography, and you have a hit in your hands.
I am surprised I wasn’t aware of Arsène Lupin before watching the show, but I am now searching for a copy of the book. Lupin is inspired by Arsène Lupin, who is a fictional gentleman thief and master of disguise created in 1905 by French writer Maurice Leblanc.
Sy stars as Assane Diop, a Senegalese immigrant whose father, Babakar (Fargass Assandé), is the victim of a corrupt businessman, Hubert Pellegrini (Hervé Pierre).
Framed for stealing a fabled necklace that is believed to have once been owned by Marie Antoinette, it leads to his untimely death, leaving Assane an orphan.
Babakar did leave Assane one thing though, (besides very good self-esteem) – a copy of Arsène Lupin.
He becomes obsessed with it and uses the many tricks Lupin uses in the book, to plot his revenge and to clear his father’s name.
In the first episode, we see the brilliance of Assane, as he pulls off the heist of the century, managing to hoodwink a number of people as he gets his
