Italian drama 'Don't Leave Me' is certainly stylish: how could it not be, with its attractive leads and Venetian setting? It's also solidly plotted and its characters have depth. It's also not without flaws: we have a team of super-talented police with instanteous tech and a ridiculously glamorous office; and a lot of the plot twists are very heavily flagged. The chase scenes are slick but never quite feel natural. And the basic idea, that a super-powerful gang are involved in a highly sophisticated scheme to abuse children, doesn't feel true to the tawdry nature of child abuse in general. It's certainly more than a by-the-book thriller; but it doesn't quite inspire the highest levels of emotional engagement.
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paul2001sw-112 May 2023
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BeneCumb22 February 2024Most of the events take place in Venice - in a pearl of Italy - and the start was quite promising, but then odd relations, flashbacks and scenes began to dominate and the pace of events reduced significantly. True, towards the end of this miniseries main mysteries were explained, but the roundup came hastily in the second half or so of the final episode. Some scenes were anticipated and when it all ended, I did not feel content with what I had watched - in comparison with e.g. Rocco Schiavone, Signora Volpe, Commissario Montalbano - other Italian crime series focusing on a location outside major Italian cities.
The characters-performances in Non mi lasciare were not excelling as well, and I still have 2 main questions about the things that annoyed me (as many twists and turns emanated from them): 1) If a country/city has issues of street kids and running-off kids, why the wrongdoers took so much time and energy for luring their victims via Internet?
2) How-why the files of a closed and abandoned orphanage remained openly available to everyone - in a modern EU society with strict privacy rules?
So, although the Series is over the average, it is not a must watch. -
jonwoodh16 July 2022What an amazing thriller series from Italy. At first I wasn't sure of the pacing and then I was gripped. With gorgeous scenes of Venice as the backdrop this very timely and dark story is one of the best series I've seen in ages. I loved the interplay between the three old friends and how the plot slowly unraveled. Masterful film-making. And what a dramatic ending!
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It is not often that this jaded thriller fan is impressed, and less often that he is moved to tears. But this series did both. I was all the more impressed and moved because the real coup de theatre came from a direction I did not anticipate but could not deny. Among the many outstanding contributions (besides the direction and writing) are the lead actors, who are incredibly charismatic, and a marvelous music score that evolves and sneaks up on you over the course of the series. I persevere through many so-so or merely satisfying shows to come upon a gem like this. Bravissimo!
PS: Months after posting this review, I occasionally come across this show in listings, and try to remember what I so loved about it. Then it comes back to me...and I suddenly catch my breath. So heartbreaking, so beautiful. -
fayreynolds26 July 2022Although we were initially concerned that the romance from the past would overshadow this series, it didn't. The cinematography was blissful and while at times the story seemed to move slowly, suddenly there was a plot twist making you sit up and go wow. We thought the last episode was just so moving and we still think about it weeks after.
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stairways9 May 2023If ever there was a show where the achievements of the cinematographer outshone those of the writer, director and cast, this is it. True, the camera crew have Venice to work with, and Venice (as so many filmmakers have found) is a character in itself: all you've got to do is pay attention to its details and idiosyncrasies. Even so, the camera work and editing here is remarkable good, full of curiosity and maybe even love for the location.
The script, however, is a total plodder, more leaking dinghy than gondola. Mysterious girl returns to hometown after decades away, now cast as the avenging angel for kids being abused and sold online. Tough work, for sure, but it's treated here as almost backdrop to the mawkish romantic plot elements in which our heroine (improbably partnered with her old boyfriend who wasn't even a cop but a musician last time they met!) is an Italian kickass ninja with great hair rather than a real person moved by the plight of those she has devoted her life to saving, i.e. Abused kids. (I tack them on to the end of the sentence here the way the plot tacks them on to this otherwise entirely average romance cop show in a cool location.)
So often, Italian dramas (with some honourable exceptions) add mush and Muzak where muscle and motivation would be much more welcome and effective. This is one of those shows where the splendor of the backdrop makes the main attraction (if we can use such a term of the theme) look like nothing to get worked up about - hardly what you want in a show on such a subject.
You'll learn nothing about how pedophiles really work (except that it has to do with the Dark Web, apparently) and you'll think Venice looks great if a bit damp off season. Other than that you'll see some nice clothes and some handsome people pretending to be serious and getting in and out of boats of various kinds.
Sadly, three episodes were more than enough. -
shoshanim29 September 2023I found this series to be riveting from the get go. The story was more than compelling and the writing was perfect. The directing was incredibly disciplined and beautifully artistic at the same time.
The subject matter is horrific and heart-rending but it was handled so adeptly, without being exploitive.
The actors were all at their very best, and thoroughly believable in their roles.
It is clear from the onset that Elena is driven by the case by some troubling force, which at times threatens to derail her investigation. But her belief in the case, and winning over her fellow detectives by her determination assures they will all pursue it to its end.
Her past relationship with fellow detective Danielle, and his marriage to her best friend, Guilia, adds a personal tension to the story, but only serves to more deeply develop those characters rather than interfere with the overall storyline.
Guilia, Danielle's wife and Elena's friend, for instance, delivers one of the most exquisite performances in the entire series, offering Elena exactly the genuine love and support she needs in order to see the case to its fruition.
The series is so very much worth the watch. -
This beautiful cinematic series was painstakingly crafted using very realistic character actors, a superb cast, captivating storyline, wonderful locations, breathtaking views of Venice, mesmerising cinematography, highly creative editing and magical music that carried you throughout. A faultless production with tasteful artistic direction and excellent production values. Superbly written, directed and produced. Amazing ending ... the cast and story lives on ... should pick up many awards.
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denikenny19 July 2022As frequent travelers to Venice we have to rate this the best cinematography of Venice and outlying islands we have ever watched. The scenery was magical and took us back down memory lane with all the familiar places. The story line was exciting, emotional and the acting was incredible. So many twists and turns of emotions between the actors and surprisingly an extremely sensitive and happy ending. Gave me a different perspective of Venice after dark and early morning. Watched the last episode last night and already talking about re watching!
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laduqesa18 July 2023I didn't get the motivation of Elena Zonin, played adequately by Vittorua Puccini, in either her professional or private lives. What was her obsession with pedophiles and abused kids? It was more than a professional interest. It just seemed bizarre to me.
What could have been a riveting story was spoilt by the soap opera aspects of the series. That Elena was partnered with her old flame Daniele Vianello who'd subsequently married her best friend Giulia after Elena's disappearance from Venice smothered the detective story.
This could have been a really serious drama about child trafficking and how it's combated, but we got a romance instead with crime tacked on. It's very disappointing. I watched it all but I can't really recommend it. -
germanning23 May 2023Best Tv minii series I've seen in a long time. Didn't want it to end. Whilst dealing with a very dark theme, it still manages to be full of hope and grounded in good triumphing over evil. The lead actors are all superb and the story is fascinating with no shortage of surprises. The main characters are very well developed. Rarely have I watched a mini series where each episode gets better culminating in the last 2 that are simply out of this world. And as if all of this was not enough the setting in Venice was simply genius. No need for a sequel or a prequel or anything like that- this was the work of a modern day Michelangelo.
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muratmihcioglu17 January 2022This show sucks! I don't understand the deal with series starring Victoria Puccini. Does she have an experimental agent or something? Who gave a green light to this production? Incredibly slow, inexcusably dependent on very basic tricks that have been used and abused in cinema during the final decades of the past century! Yeah, the past century! What is that? What kind of a detective team works like that? Nothing looks or sounds coherent. Jeez, this is really annoying.
Every single one of the 3 points I gave this is for the photography only! It is not the fault of the director of photography if the story being told makes no sense with respect to the choice of ambiance. -
Guanche4819 February 2023I decided to watch it simply because of the very positive reviews and the high rating.
Don't understand 7.2?? Ridiculous!! Just too much!
I couldn't bear to see it all. I didn't like the actors at all, and Vittoria Puccini, Elena in the series is the character that most discouraged me from continuing .. a mysterious and unbearable diva stereotype.
The title of the series does not make any sense in my opinion.
Nothing exciting or psychological here.
As you can see, it's not my type of series, I'm sorry for the fans. But I don't recommend it at all! How boring this series!!
Again, not my cup of tea. -
paloma5427 November 2023There is nothing remotely competent about this supposed thriller. The lead female actress has an extremely grating, choking sounding voice, and I wondered who on earth told this woman to go into acting. I would have thought that a modestly pleasant sounding voice was the absolute minimum requirement.
The pacing of the show is very slow and the story could easily have been made in half the time. Despite its length, there isn't enough dialogue to answer some basic questions one would naturally have. I couldn't buy the instant deep renewal of friendship after we learn Elena's character disappeared from her friends lives 20 years earlier. Her relationship with Giulia struck me as forced and unnatural. We never get a real answer to the riddle of whatever drama took her away from Venice. Most of the time the series seems not to decide if it's a crime drama or the story of Elena, there's too much camera time spent on her but without much real character development. Although the setting is Venice and there's a fair amount of interesting camera angles, it always seems cold, overcast, and empty, and tourist-less as well. The sound effects and background music seemed intrusive, inappropriate and heavy handed. Worst of all was the way scenes from the present and past are all jumbled up together in seemingly deliberate obfuscation. It was hard work making it to the end of the series.