Mod Ms Fisher Would Make Phryne Oh-So-Proud... (TV show review)

“Witty, effervescent, charming, empowering, ‘60s-mod fun." That’s my TL;DR take on Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries, for those impatient to just get on with the show.

But, for anyone who has longer than 10 seconds…

Although it’s an updated—set some 35 years after the original Australian series, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries (itself based on a character created by author Kerry Greenwood)—spin on the spunky-female-detective-ahead-of-her-time story, the new Ms. Fisher, Peregrine (a niece of the missing-in-action Miss F) exhibits as much chutzpah and charisma as her unknown aunt, the incomparable Phryne.

While certain tropes carry over—Peregrine regularly enlists the aid of a few good friends in the solving of each mystery, just like her aunt Phryne did, and also enjoys serious chemistry with a handsome police detective (who, like the original, always manages to get called out to the same cases that Peregrine winds up taking)—make no mistake that this is a rehash. Modern is firmly, happily rooted in a very different era (Melbourne in the early-mid ‘60s, rather than the late ‘20s), and everything—from the clothes, hair and makeup, cars, music, manners, and mysteries—reflects the later time period, brilliantly. 

Before viewing the four feature-length eps in the new series (not binging, precisely, as I forced myself to only watch one per day!), I confess to worrying if I’d enjoy the new show quite as much as the original. No Essie Davis—who captured the delightful spirit and wackiness of Phryne to a T—nor her straight-arrow foil, Detective Jack Robinson (Nathan Page). No fabulously Roaring ‘20s, with those gorgeous fashions, cool cars, and (relatively) non-violent crimes. (I mean, aside from murder. These are murder mysteries, after all.) Would/could any of the same magic be present in the updated version?

Just ten minutes into the first Modern ep, though, and my fears were forgotten. Geraldine Hakewill (whom I was already familiar with and a fan of from the fantastic series, Wanted) is perfectly cast as the younger, greener, and less elegant—but no less-capable, gutsy, or innately-clever—private detective, and Joel Jackson makes a dashing counterpart as Detective James Steed. (And yes, I can’t help but think that name may be a sly wink to another very dapper chap, also partnered with a beautiful, brainy, young woman, from a whole ‘nother show set in the ‘60s…) 

Is Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries escapist fare? Absolutely. Is it something you can watch with (older) children, if you want? Yep, nothing too scandalous or horrifying, here. Will you chuckle, and try to figure out where the mystery is headed, and finish each episode feeling good/happy/better than when you started? Yeah, I think that’s pretty much a guarantee. 

And right now, I honestly can’t think of anything nicer than that. :)

[Ms Fisher’s Modern Murder Mysteries can be seen on Acorn TV.]
~GlamKitty

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