Obscured mathematical puzzles, Agatha Christie style murder mysteries, and aloof intellectuals discussing them as if the lives taken were mere numbers in an equation. As directed by Basque filmmaker Álex de la Iglesia, The Oxford Murders chooses style over authenticity and intellect over logic, hence devaluing much of the film's potential emotional impact. To be honest, this is a fundamentally unsentimental film if there ever was one. Even the ostensibly romantic scenes involving a pale Elijah Wood and the by-default attracted Leonor Watling are as matter-of-fact as a mediocre maths lesson. De la Iglesia's attempt at connecting his conundrum tribute to an offbeat youth culture falls flat, but this doesn't mean his stylish film isn't effective on other levels. The intellectual duel between Wood and John Hurt is constantly fascinating, and for all the meticulous plotting, the puzzle is both quite clever and rather alluring..

Copyright © 12.10.2009 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang

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