In the initial scene of “Monsieur Spade,” a fresh AMC six-part series, Clive Owen embodies the iconic American detective Sam Spade, lying awkwardly during a prostate examination. In an unexpected twist, this portrayal of the stoic Spade includes a moment of vulnerability as a doctor cheerfully assesses his prostate health, hinting at the character’s aging reality. The narrative, penned by Scott Frank (“The Queen’s Gambit”) and Tom Fontana (“Homicide”), unfolds in 1963, two decades after Humphrey Bogart’s rendition of Spade in John Huston’s 1941 film adaptation of Dashiell Hammett’s novel, “The Maltese Falcon.”
This time around, Spade has retired and settled in the French village of Bozouls. A flashback reveals an unsuccessful mission to deliver a girl named Teresa to her father in Bozouls, setting the stage for Spade’s encounter with a captivating widow, Gabrielle (played by Chiara Mastroianni). Love blossoms, leading to marriage, but tragedy strikes, leaving Spade a widower who inherits Gabrielle’s opulent estate, including a beautiful house, a swimming pool, vineyards, and wealth. He lives a quiet life, haunted by memories of Gabrielle, until the past resurfaces, bringing trouble to his doorstep.
Scott Frank, who also directs the series, expressed his initial reluctance to take on a Spade project, having another Hammett adaptation in mind. However, a unique idea sparked his interest: exploring the lives of Bogart-esque characters as they age. Collaborating with Fontana, they decided to place Spade in the aftermath of the Algerian War, set in a France grappling with questions of identity and societal tension post-independence.
Clive Owen, exuding suaveness in a dark suit and crisp white shirt during an interview, shared his excitement about the role. As a devoted fan of noir and Bogart, Owen considers the portrayal of Spade a gift. Engaging in conversations with Frank about the older Sam Spade, Owen embraced the challenge of playing with the macho, smoker archetype while staying true to the source material. Reflecting on the experience, he humorously noted, “I didn’t get to wear the hat much, though.” Despite the departure from Spade’s traditional image, the series promises a fresh perspective on the classic character, exploring his identity, past, and the complexities of his new life in the scenic yet troubled backdrop of post-Algerian War France.
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