Jo (2013) User Reviews

Is Jean Reno the only Frenchman in Paris? It's not French enough

[HelenMary · 5/10 · 11 June 2013]

I was looking forward to some gritty French drama series, starring the incredibly talented Jean Reno. I understand that the series has to appeal internationally (and by that I mean Americans), but it's totally NOT French. Jean Reno is wasted and the plot is interesting in terms of story lines but the police-procedure is so contrived, and whilst it's not entirely predictable, it's full of leaps in investigation.

Reno plays it French but everyone else is either American or British and I don't get that. He's investigating random murders (being a homicide cop) but everyone is English! Everyone! Even if they spoke with cheesy French accents it would have made more sense. The producers missed a trick by making it too much like all the other investigative procedurals that are on US and UK TV at present - if the only thing different is that it's set against Parisian architecture, that's not a good enough reason to watch. The script is too staccato because the action is stilted due to the contrived leaps, and even Reno can't raise this show to above 5/10 for me. Tom Austen the sidekick is good, pretty and the flirty cop who gets all the ladies to open up with information - well cast - but I would like to see some reason why he's working in Paris and hear him attempting to speak French occasionally.

Only Reno's character St-Clair has a back-story, which makes the program too shallow. St-Clair's struggle with drink and drugs is only touched on, but perhaps it's early days in the series... there's not much story arc.

It needs to be more French. I'd love it then. Subtitles aren't such a bad thing!

Keep going, improve

[Wilhelm-J · 7/10 · 7 July 2013]

I'm German, I live in Paris, with my American wife. So here comes my absolutely neutral critique : Who cares about American or British or French accent. Stiff British wouldn't make it more authentic than sloppy American. Trying to steer the show towards the International is anyway not something to hold against it. Its weak points come rather from a sometimes tepid script, foreseeable dialogs and relations. It's obvious that the producers try to be reeeaaally careful and hold on to a crime series concept that has proved entertaining so often. Unfortunately, maybe too many times. An a bit more daring approach would help the show. But it's not soooo horribly bad. Instead of canceling it, the producers should improve it - the potential is / was there.

Getting better but....

[jewellteresa-618-474390 · 7/10 · 30 May 2013]

Luckily I had recorded 3 episodes of this before watching because I'm not sure I would have bothered watching any further episodes after the 1st one. There seems to be a tendency for new crime series to follow the Scandinavian style in series such as Borgen and I don't have a problem with this especially in Jo. As with all good detectives the main character is flawed, they wouldn't be so good at their job if they weren't I guess. The cast is great particularly Jean Reno and Tom Austen, the Morse and Lewis of Paris.

So why have I only given it 7 stars? Well, it's a slow-burner for a start. I've just seen episode 3 and am enjoying it more as the series progresses. However, I'm not invested in any of the main characters. Jo himself has a troubled past and a tumultuous relationship with his daughter who also has problems, but so far I don't really care. Secondly, this is a series set in France with mainly British actors, good British actors, and yet, they are all adopting American accents. I don't know why unless this is because the producers didn't think an American audience would understand the British accent. Ironically, of course, Jean Reno speaks with a thick French accent and he doesn't compromise that here. If there is to be another series please, please drop the fake American accents because it is needless and annoying and might be the thing that will make me and other, switch off.

Fine series; lousy ending

[lotekguy-1 · 6/10 · 14 March 2022]

Jean Reno is as great as usual. Most of the scripts were solid; a couple were excellent. This is labeled as a miniseries, but it ended like a first season of a sure-to-be-continued series... which it wasn't, as the Gods of Renewal chose to bestow their blessings upon other supplicants. The crimes providing the main theme for each episode were cleared, but significant interpersonal and character and plot threads running throughout were not. The result was ending on a sour note, diminishing my regard for what I'd been thoroughly enjoying for 7.5 of its 8 hours.

Jo

[jclements-12961 · 7/10 · 17 November 2019]

I'm a big fan of Jean Reno, so I'm watching Jo. Not bad, not good. But will someone explain to me why a series filmed in France has everyone speaking with an American accent except Jean? I just don't get it...

I can see why it only lasted one season

[jdonalds-5 · 6/10 · 30 March 2018]

This series kept my mind puzzled, not because of the mystery or detective work, but rather that it was 100% Paris but I don't think I heard a single word of French through the entire season. It really makes me wonder what the decision was behind this project. Who was the target audience?

The reason it only lasted one season is because I think the story lines are weak and a bit dull. The actors and acting was fine. Detective series are favorites of my wife and me. It was interesting seeing Jill Hennessy from Crossing Jordan in this series.

I lived in Paris for three years almost 40 years ago. I was excited to see familiar sights, and to learn of a few places in the city I didn't visit.

Criminal waste of Jean Reno

[orders-113 · 5/10 · 9 January 2022]

What a waste of the superb talents of Jean Reno! The only actor permitted to speak with a French accent (well, he could hardly do any other) but its completely unfathomable why the rest of the cast - many of whom are English - are forced to speak with an America accent. Why? I can only assume it was done to improve the appeal to a US audience - but surely if they can understand Jean Reno, they can understand the likes of Sean Pertwee speaking in their own tongue?

My other complaint would be the deliberate wobbly-cam - something that always winds me up. Why do it? I'm pretty sure I don't move my head around when I'm trying to listen to someone.

There are some good stories here - one standout jewel is Episode 6 with a moving performance by Sam Waterston. Perhaps character backstories were expected to come into play in later series but it was predictably canned after its first season.

Overall - worth watching - but be prepared to get annoyed with it!

What a shame

[owen-163 · 8/10 · 19 December 2013]

Just when it was getting interesting, it was cancelled. The criticism about American accents notwithstanding, very little about this show disturbed me at all. The unFrenchness of the cast made Jean Reno's role stand out much more and I suppose my bilingualism made me not only appreciate his English accent more, but also allowed me to understand it.

It definitely had things going for it, although yes, the casting was a tiny bit weak: Reno's boss didn't quite have the stature one might expect of a senior cop, and Reno's daughter might have been a tad TOO vulnerable but in a way, these small apparent failings were not really negative and certainly didn't detract from my enjoyment overall.

Interesting stories, interesting routines (I liked the semi-comical back and forth between team members at the beginning of each case), a very believable and likable cop in Jean Reno and of course, Paris, all went to make it something of a disappointment for me that there won't be any suite.

Unrealistic language

[dudleyj-83552 · 6/10 · 10 February 2022]

While the show I'd quite well scripted and has interesting plot lines, it is spoilt by the unrealistic use of false American accents. Set in Paris and starring many well known British actors the forced American accents are unnecessary and would almost not be used in Paris. Contrived for selling the show to the US.

Jean Reno is Wasted On This One

[djaznh · 4/10 · 23 June 2017]

The first episode seemed endless, but never fear, because the rest of the series is a swan dive into eternal pithy script and horrible acting by most of the other players. Jean Reno is the only French accent in Paris these days, it seems. Granted, Reno could have stayed home and phoned his part in for all the color the rest of the cast contribute.

Overall, a disappointing effort.

Even Jean Reno can only do so much.

I just found it and liked it...

[suzpom · 8/10 · 29 June 2020]

The American accents in Paris notwithstanding, I liked this series, though most probably because of brooding detective Jo St Clair (Jean Reno). While the cases were closed by the end of each episode, his personal story held all the episodes together, which made it more interesting to me. I'm unhappy only because the last episode didn't really finish... and it doesn't appear that we will get the chance to meet up with "Jo" again... too bad.

Good series but

[brainwerx-1 · 6/10 · 10 October 2023]

Why do American series need to ruin certain things. You are in France. They use kilometres not miles. Why are you stating distances in imperial, in a country that uses metric.

Jean Reno, as usual, is great. As are all the other actors, that are British or from the UK. But, instead of allowing them to use their real accents, they have to use American accents that, in some cases, are barely passable. Overall I enjoyed the series. But, honestly, that just made things a bit laughable. Knowing that they are UK actors. As well, if you're in France, use French pronunciations. Not American. Again, this is taking away from the show.

Too Americanized

[gaenorw · 3/10 · 1 January 2022]

Jean Reno was great but a series set in Paris with British actors with American accents really! Good story lines but spoiled by the poor quality trying to be international and failing badly.

FAst moving police in Paris, France

[rcelestpowell · 7/10 · 21 February 2022]

Crusty old French detective, recovering alcoholic, widower trying to do his police work and protect his dtr. To make matters worse the dtr's boyfriend is a drug dealer. To top off his troubles, he's a poker pal of the criminals he's supposed to be chasing! Great pictures of Paris.

??????

[wscharles · 6/10 · 17 February 2022]

This is a drama set largely in France with a cast that is largely English or Irish. So why are they speaking in American accents. Can an American audience not understand English people. Do they dub Downton Abbey into New Yorkese?

Somewhat interesting vehicle for a great actor.

[carbontechps · 7/10 · 11 May 2022]

I thought it was just OK, a little slow-paced but still enjoyable. I like watching the way cops are depicted as operating in other countries-the variations on the theme. The other draw was Jean Reno as the lead. Ever since The Professional, I've been a fan of his-a bona-fide star, with a character actor's face. However, other than the OG La Femme Nikita, where he played Victor(The Cleaner), I've never seen him performing in French, dubbed or otherwise. When I saw this was on Prime, despite my general aversion to dubbed or subtitled offerings, I was ready to suffer through the language barrier just to see him in action in a French police procedural. Imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out it was being presented in English. Unlike all the people here whining about the English dialogue, I had no problem making the very slight logical leap in easily comprehending that everyone is speaking French, that we just happen to hear as English. I guess these same unimaginative people couldn't get their pedantic preconceptions past the fact that Ben Hur, Spartacus and dozens upon dozens of other historical dramas set in early Roman times weren't voiced in Hebrew, Latin or other, appropriate regional tongues or that the many WW2 movies had the audacity to present Japanese, Russian and German characters speaking in English, fake accents or otherwise. Sadly too, they must have all hated the Star Wars movies, since, obviously, no one actually spoke English, "A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...". Too bad Lucas didn't invent a fake language and then put in subtitles. He could have made some real money on his series of movies, lol.

Detectives in Paris, The 51st State of America

[sheepy_uk · 3/10 · 20 May 2013]

We were excited to see Jean Remo cast for this role as we are fans of many of his other works but were sadly disappointed when we sat down to watch. The story was good and the acting carried it but the American accents clashed terribly with the Parisian setting. A major production error considering the lengths they had gone to in their choice of locations and sets.

The flawed detective is a staple of the crime/detective genre but the unique element here was lost as Paris dissolved into another another tepid formulaic drama with a plot that lumped between scenes with limited development.

Sadly we won't be watching next week.

an excellent cop show jean reno is perfect as a depressive cop great actor

[playtoyer · 8/10 · 8 May 2013]

This is a excellent cop show.The cast is great especially jean reno perfect playing a cop.jean reno best work in a English movie was the classic movie the professional but in this cop show jean reno also delivers a strong performance with this show jean reno shows to the audience around the world the full extend of is amazing talent as an actor.The entire cast is great is younger partner is also great there is a great chemistry between both of them.It,s the same chemistry then in the movie crimson rivers.This cop show has a great mix between the personal life of the character played by jean reno and the crime stories.The trouble relation between the character played by jean reno and is daughter is great drama.jean reno is the star of the show each scenes with him are great his acting translate a lot of emotions giving his character a lot of charisma.jean reno is a great actor every scene with him is a delight jean reno is such a great actor.the success of the show in a lot of countries around the world shows the global appeal of jean reno around the world and is popularity in a lot of countries.This cop show is a total success and it,s excellent.

Jo

[zhayden-66814 · 13 February 2022]

Why is everyone on Jo series speaking English without any French accent.it is based in France and. Odd. I enjoy the series but still have a little trouble understanding the English accent not French.

Good cop drama

[weinberg-04643 · 7/10 · 17 January 2024]

Do yourself a favor, watch episode 1, 4, 2, 3 and so forth. The order was changed but occurrences in number 4 are referred to in 2 and 3.

Now, the show is fairly dated, even for it's filming period. The majority of the cast is British, Irish and American... not much French while they're all supposed to be French. Accents and episode orders aside this was a good cop drama. Set in France, progressing through individual murder mysteries with a few small storyline running through the entire show.

The first few episodes are reasonably standalone and about midway through the story and tension start to build before culminating it what became the finale. The show was canceled despite Jean Reno being contracted into a second season. This was partly due to his thick accent and doubts about how the UK/American audiences would receive it. Definitely enjoyable.

Unwatchable

[nikstar-53-298547 · 1/10 · 22 December 2021]

Was hoping for a hard boiled, gritty French cop show - which only the French can pull off. Can think of no good reason to make an Americanised version other than someone else pointed out for 'international appeal'. It has no appeal. We want more foreign shows and films - not the pseudo versions. Disappointing.

Love Jean Reno

[conmck-2 · 8/10 · 9 May 2022]

While this may not be the best show Jean Reno has ever made, I still enjoyed it very much! It is kind of stiff in parts, forced in others, but he's worth watching regardless. I do recommend this. The only part that bugs everyone is that this takes place in Paris, but everyone speaks English with an American accent, except for Jean. Where's all the French?

Where are all the French actors?

[Erin50266 · 7/10 · 5 March 2022]

I finally got around to watching this on Prime March 4th and 5th 2022, and while I like Reno & Hennessy very much, was rather disappointed. Many great guest stars, like Sean Pertwee, Sam Waterston,et al, but not up to Balcer usual; imho. Definitely worth watching, but set in Paris oh, so could we at least get French accents from the non French actors? Are we to believe in 2013 there were just expats floating around Paris especially as law enforcement?

Short and Bitter

[dylannally · 2/10 · 21 May 2013]

I am not really sure where to start with this. Well, actually, I know exactly where to start, at the point where you know it simply will not work. And that point would be the start of the show, the first scene, you really need not go any further.

And the start has the cast at the front of Notre Dame in Paris, a body lying on the ground. I good starting few seconds, nice view. At this point the cast then open their mouths. This is pretty much as far as you need to go, as all the actors then start speaking in American accents, with the exception of Jo, who speaks English (or maybe American, who knows these days) in a French accent. I have no idea what the production team was thinking with this, but just let me think about it a little longer............. a little more....... nope, no idea.

I don't really want to dull your senses any further with a plot as I just not sure I see the point! Why not 1 star? Well, they cast Jean Reno in it, which was in the right ball park, but just the wrong language. Maybe they should have learnt a lesson by watching him in 22 Bullets, which was very watchable with subtitles.

We can read and watch at the same time, and I am sure there are other French actors out there, give them a chance please. Bonne journée.....

Good but strange

[deacon_blues-88632 · 7/10 · 12 April 2022]

A crime series set in Paris where everyone only speaks English. Fine cast of actors, good dialogue, good writing. Sympathetic characters and memorable people. Note: Sienna Guillory is uncredited in the 7th episode as the murderer. Not sure why she's not listed. I really liked it.