By Lee Romero
Everyone’s a suspect
Hercule Poirot’s (Branagh) Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer morphs into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple’s idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short.
In a nutshell, it’s a decent delight of who-done-it and why?
Entertaining and engaging (especially having screened it in 70mm), but something is missing. In many ways it’s a splendid package for a modest, cinematic gift. Sure, a great cast, a full of good intentions director, fantastic wardrobe, impressive scenery (i.e. Nile, pyramids, sphinx, etc.), elegant aura, vibrant colors, wicked twists and turns, and most of all… seductive! I’ve never read any of Agatha’s novels, so, films like DEATH ON THE NILE (much like MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS), ride a seesaw of similarities, while providing touches of uniqueness; therefore, for me, it’s more of a spectacle show than adaptation – and while the layout of it all was pleasant, there was a form of disconnect (for me). One I’m still trying to pinpoint, alongside its slow burn run and dialog overkill.
__________
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Drama, Crime | Rated: PG-13 | Run Time: 2:07
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Russel Brand, Setitia Wright, Annette Benning
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
