the fresh films reviews

S I N C E   1 9 9 7










 

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Director:
Kenneth Branagh
COUNTRY
United States
GENRE
Crime/Mystery
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Mord pĺ Orientekspressen
RUNNING TIME
108 minutes
Producer:
Ridley Scott
Mark Gordon
Simon Kinberg
Kenneth Branagh
Judy Hofflund
Michael Schaefer
Screenwriter (based on the novel by Agatha Christie):
Michael Green


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Hercule Poirot Kenneth Branagh
Pilar Estravados Penélope Cruz
Gerhard Hardman Willem Dafoe ˝
Princess Dragomiroff Judi Dench
Samuel Ratchett/John Cassetti Johnny Depp
Hector MacQueen Josh Gad
Edward Henry Masterman Derek Jacobi ˝
Dr. Arbuthnot Leslie Odom Jr.
Caroline Hubbard Michelle Pfeiffer ˝
Mary Debenham Daisy Ridley
Bouc Tom Bateman ˝
Hildegarde Schmidt Olivie Colman
Countess Helena Andrenyi Lucy Boynton
Pierre Michel Marwan Kenzari
Biniamino Marquez Manuel Garcia-Rulfo ˝

 

Review

Kenneth Branagh's remake of Agatha Christie's classic, which was last given a theatrical release with a successful and critically acclaimed 1974 version by Sidney Lumet, is a lavish spectacle with great production values and a stellar cast. Branagh has also taken it upon himself to embody Hercule Poirot, and he nails both the look, the sound and the mannerisms of the famous detective. The first part of the film is atmospheric and instigative, as we embark upon this exciting journey together with a motley crew of characters. And this is where it all starts floundering, because Branagh grows too fond of his own character for the other characters to really come to life. They remain two-dimensional and fleeting, not helped by the uneven editing from a narrative point of view. The result is that the denouement, which is supposed to be the pinnacle of any Hercule Poirot story, feels scurried and academic. The film looks great and has the outlines of a great, classic detective story, but alas falls short at the most crucial moments.

Copyright © 01.02.2018 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

[BACK TO INDEX]

[HAVE YOUR SAY]