Stuck for what to watch next on Netflix (or Amazon Instant)? Chances are I’ve seen what you’re flirting with watching. Here’s my latest #bingewatch.
Usually I don’t pass judgement on a #bingewatch until I finished at least one season but with Taxi Brooklyn I had to make an exception. Mainly because I have one VERY IMPORTANT plea for anyone considering watching it. Watch the original 1998 Luc Besson film first.
The Taxi film franchise is one of France’s biggest successes at the box office and around the world. The premise is a well-meaning speed-freak Taxi driver forced to help a police officer with difficulties obtaining a driving license. You can guess the rest. They become a formidable team lasting four film installments. There has been a U.S. remake but it doesn’t compare to the neatly woven comedic drama of the original. And in 2014 Taxi Brooklyn which is currently showing on Netflix.
So how do they string this out into a television series? An equally rubbish and dangerous driver, Officer Caitlyn ‘Cat’ Sullivan (Chyler Leigh) is teamed with Marseille born taxi driver, Leo Romba (Jacky Ido) after she falsely accuses him of being complicit in a robbery getaway. As he lied on his entry visa into the United States about not having a criminal record, he is there illegally, Sullivan becomes his sponsor in return for the odd ride here and there. His crime in France was…yes, you guessed it, being a getaway driver for bank robbers. He cut a deal and went to the U.S. to start a new life, which means he can’t return back to France. Officer Sullivan’s story arc is her quest to solve her father’s murder.
On-screen ‘chalk and cheese’ detective stories are not new, neither are ‘police consultants’ co-operating with law enforcement tales (Castle, White Collar). Cat is an up-tight North American woman, Leo is a laid-back Frenchman with a penchant for helping lost souls. They’ve brought some elements from the movies, Leo’s driving skills and the complementary qualities which, as luck would have it, make them a good team. In the first french Taxi film, Marseille is the prominent backdrop for the story; the people, the accent and culture. Brooklyn has the same role in this TV show.
“Taxi Cab” by Damian Brandon/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
But the writers and producers at EuropaCorp Television left out SO much of the juicy comedy from the original franchise. Cat’s counterpart in the French movies, Detective Emilien Coutant-Kerbalec (Frédéric Diefenthal) is not as likeable, he’s arrogant and a sycophantic suck-up to authority which makes the farce more believable. Equally, Daniel Morales (Samy Naceri) is a lot more cocky and mean to Emilien. This is potentially a cultural adjustment for the benefit of U.S. audiences, as the police in France are not revered as much as they appear to be across the pond. In fact, in Taxi (1998) Emilien’s mother prompts him to lie about his profession, such is the shame.
I am also very disappointed there is no ‘modified’ taxi which is key part of the original story. Daniel Morales Peugeot has been pimped as if a boy racer had been in charge of Q Branch, complete with a racing drivers steering wheel he installs for the high speed action. The car chases are what makes the movie and Taxi Brooklyn seems downgraded these in the plot.
For a #bingewatch it’s enjoyable light(er) action-comedy (a bit light on the comedy if you ask me). Put it midway down your current Netflix list after Daredevil, Better Call Saul, Orange Is The New Black and House Of Cards.
Taxi (1998) is available from Amazon and iTunes UK Stores to rent and/ or download.
