Playing in Theaters
Kenneth Branagh's adaptations of Agatha Christie's works have been, for want of a better word, consistent. They have been well assembled, put together with a passion for the material & love of the arts, and successfully deliver a handsome & textured experience in some way. While the formula for this particular kind of film might be stale by now (understandably so), that isn't to say that this latest offering doesn't still deliver the goods. It may not be as profound or impactful as the first entry into this little franchise, but it knows precisely what it is and how to deliver a damn good experience. Let it never be said that Kenneth Branagh is ever boring.
Loosely based on the Agatha Christie novel Halloween Party, the story follows the world's greatest detective, Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh), trying to enjoy his retirement and self-imposed exile in post-war Venice, Italy. Despite regular solicitations for his detective skills, mysteries no longer interest the pastry-loving sleuth, which is a mystery in and of itself. Things get shaken up when he's visited by an old friend, mystery writer/author-insert character Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey), who informs Poirot of a potentially exciting case. Mrs. Reynolds (Michelle Yeoh) claims to be a medium and can communicate with the dead. Naturally, she's perceived as a fraud, and Poirot is "invited" to a spiritual séance on Halloween night, hosted by the victims of a child who passed away sometime prior, to expose Mrs. Reynolds. However, as the night progresses, the mystery proves to be much more profound than Poirot could have thought. Not helped by the strange things he's constantly seeing, causing him to question his state of mind. Can the world's greatest detective solve this mystery without losing his mind?
The film is an overall fantastic experience. It's filled to the brim with a chilling atmosphere and memorable performances. This kind of film relies heavily upon its cast and delivers in spades. Everyone on board, especially the young boy, Jude Hill, is delightful to watch and worthy of the MVP award. Especially when you consider how well he holds his own alongside titans like Michelle Yeoh.
The twists and turns throughout the narrative are precisely what you would expect from an Agatha Christie mystery story, which is partially why this film isn't ranked any higher for me. While the presentation is spot on, and the execution of the overall narrative is as pristine as possible, it's challenging to be impressed. I hesitate to use the word "predictable" because that would imply a lack of enjoyment, which is not true here. It was enjoyable despite being, let's say, done before (incredibly well, I might add).
A Haunting in Venice might not be the most stunning film this year, nor the most talked-about in the following months, but it is entertaining in its own right and the perfect choice for the Halloween season. If you need a good scare that isn't torture porn (seriously, how many more of these damn Saw movies will they keep churning out?), this is a safe and enjoyable bet.
Check it out.
Ladies & gentlemen, I am TheNorm; thank you all for reading.
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