When I was a kid, I was a huge fan of detective novels. I think the first book I ever read was the complete collection of Sherlock Holmes by Conan Doyle, which was tucked away on our bookshelf. After that, I dove into the classics by authors like Maurice Leblanc, Agatha Christie, Ellery Queen, and Gaston Leroux. My absolute favorite was, of course, the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes. But Lupin, who appears in Maurice Leblanc’s works, also captured my heart – maybe because we had the entire collection at home. Honestly, Leblanc’s works feel more like action-packed adventures than traditional detective stories, but even now, they’re a pretty fun read. The characters are so vivid that even knock-offs featuring the same protagonist are quite enjoyable. The first novel where Arsène Lupin made his grand entrance was the 1907 short story collection ‘The Gentleman Thief Arsène Lupin.’ These short stories originally appeared in newspapers, and the Netflix original series Lupin drew its inspiration from this collection.
The show kicks off with a thrilling heist to steal Marie Antoinette’s necklace. There’s a tale in the Lupin collection called ‘The Queen’s Necklace.’ Unfortunately, the rightful owner of that necklace was Madame du Barry – though she never got to see it because someone else swooped in and stole it. And the genius who pulled off the heist? A six-year-old Lupin. His success in theft meant Lupin became a thief instead of a detective. What a twist of fate!
In the series, Marie Antoinette’s necklace holds special meaning for the protagonist, Assane (played by Omar Sy). His father was wrongfully accused of stealing it, which led to his imprisonment and, tragically, his suicide there. The Netflix original series ‘Lupin’ follows Assane’s daring journey to clear his father’s name.
Assane grew up reading ‘Arsène Lupin’ given to him by his father, becoming an ardent fan. He starts mimicking the stories, committing crimes – but making them look like anything but. That’s classic Lupin for you! The scene where he steals a necklace from the Louvre is intense, though it doesn’t quite have the slick, seamless vibe of an Ocean’s Eleven heist. The storyline can be a bit disjointed, with some parts feeling slightly unpolished.
Omar Sy, the lead, is tall, with big hands and a strong presence. The traditional Lupin is suave, a master of disguise, and the epitome of a gentleman – a stark contrast to Omar Sy’s physicality. Even as you try to mentally adjust, thinking, “He’s the hero, after all,” his towering stature is hard to ignore. In a later scene, he disguises himself for a TV interview, and despite the narrative claiming he’s unrecognizable, it’s clearly Assane! His large hands and thick fingers suggest he’d solve problems not by sneaking into the shadows but by smacking them down like King Kong. Honestly, that might be more effective! Imagine Tyson facing a blow from those arms… Regardless, even ignoring evidence and deduction, his sheer size and features make him easy to spot, yet people around him hilariously feign ignorance.
Overall, the series moves at a brisk pace. Despite his size, Assane manages to sneak into prison, charm a correctional nurse, gather crucial intel, and casually escape. Did you know Lupin’s first story also involves him winding up in jail? Assane uses Lupin’s prison tricks to uncover the truth about his father’s death. Throughout the series, three characters are seen with a copy of ‘The Gentleman Thief Arsène Lupin’: Assane, his son, and the lone detective at the Paris police department, Youssef Guedira, who, while figuring out the truth, becomes a bit of an outcast.
Watching Assane inch closer to the truth behind the necklace theft involving his father, with unexpected twists at every turn, is a real highlight. You’ll find yourself updating your theories, feeling like you’re in a three-legged race with him. There aren’t mind-bending puzzles or iconic lines to memorize, but watching this charismatic, strong-featured hero is like enjoying a period adventure. With only five episodes in the season, it’s a breeze to watch. Detective work? Arsène Lupin isn’t a detective catching thieves, but a magician escaping them! 🎩✨
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