A Haunting in Venice

A Haunting in Venice.(Kenneth Brannagh)

I’ve not read any Agatha Christie, I rarely read mysteries, I read gumshoes and grifters, where the lead is the thing and not the mystery. I get angry at magicians and misdirection as some sort of elevated self. Its nothing snide in it that cuts me off. You need a character for me to care. Otherwise, its sudoku with bourgeoise notions, and thats what Brannagh has bought to the franchise with POriot.

A chance to see Venice, the vistas and luxury of Death in the Nile are completely eschewed in the third outing. We are in a locked room mystery more intricate than the Lamont configuration and with a far more oppressive than temperance of the previous two.

This is a pacy and atmospheric exploration of people in many ways. While the story does sadly seem to be a bit more ‘clue’ then curious with running along stairs and wonky chandeliers, the commitment to portray lives and perspectives, a journey, a doctor who ha pts., grieved mothers and wrongs suitors, gives a great palette to enjoy.

Branagh’s Poirot himself is more composed than ever. While a certain mirth in his realization is still there, the sweet tooth, the impeccable innuendo of pause, the secret origin of his nihilism is not paraded in the way trauma equates to character as previously. In the time since the Nile they producers realise we don’t need a secret origin for his moustache again and have foregone creating anything more than a singular mystery.

But this one does elevate. With a certain deus ex machina that’s a bit to obvious to explain the supernatural failings. To a sophisticated an great platonic chemistry with his wing girl in the mystery with Ariadne Oliver, it’s hard not to succumb to the charm of it. Spooky child time is also in the mix, to the point of cliche, but by the finale.

The film does see the case solved, and the murderer found. But unlike others, it’s a much greyer resolution, all the other secrets get discovered as is the nature of these films, but to judge, to sentence. That is not for profit, it’s refreshing to see him just accept human nature, its good and ill. And sets a tone that these films need right now.

Late to the cinema. Resolved to see and would have reviewed scrapper if I had missed it. I’ve not seen scraper. Want to, I’m sure it’s particularly good and have heard good things. But sometimes you need a cosy little murder to feel comfortable in the world and take you out of your horrors for a couple of hours to enjoy a certain sense of justice and elegance. No matter how ephemeral.

Totally apt for Halloween. And one to put on the list to stream by then.