Kenneth Branagh and his iconic bushy 'stache are back. The director returns as Hercule Poirot in Death on the Nile, his second remake of an Agatha Christie novel, which is craftier and slicker than the prior Murder on the Orient Express.
Set in 1937, Poirot is vacationing in Egypt, enjoying his Jaffa cakes and a perfect view of the Sphinx. Also in Egypt are newlyweds Linnet Ridgeway (a rich heiress played by Gal Gadot) and her husband Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer). The two are having a hard time enjoying their honeymoon trip as they are being stalked by Linnet's former best friend, Jacqueline de Bellefort (Emma Mackey), who was engaged to Simon only six months earlier.
Poirot's vacation is once again interrupted when he's invited on a large steamboat to join the wedding party and help the newlyweds avoid Jacqueline. Joining him on the trip is an ensemble list of guests who are each wrapped up in some combination of jealousy, revenge or envy: Poirot's friend Bouc (Tom Bateman), Bouc's mother (Annette Bening), jazz singer (Sophie Okonedo) and her niece (Laetita Wright), nurse (Dawn French), Linnet's cousin and lawyer (Ali Fazal), a doctor and Linnet's former lover (Russell Brand), and a maid (Rose Leslie).
When someone on board is murdered, Poirot is tasked with using his sharp skills to solve the case.
Branagh is clearly fond of the Agatha Christie material, and is a filmmaker who boldly tackles the whodunit genre with humour and wit. As in his previous film, he employs an exotic production design that's as much a character in the movie as the heavyweight names.
Gal Gadot has a commanding presence as she dazzles her guests with her beauty and wealth, making her presence felt so strongly that, when she's not onscreen, she is missed. Emma Mackey, who became a recognizable name thanks to her work on Netflix's Sex Education, holds her own even while surrounded by Gadot and Hammer. The trio is at the centre of the story and, for a newcomer like Mackey, the fact that she leaves an impression is a testament to her onscreen skills. (It's a hard to ignore the presence of Hammer, however, considering the horrifying accusations of assault made against him. There's a scene in which Jacqueline is grinding on Simon as part of a passionate dance routine, but instead of showing the couple in love, it just comes across as icky. Even though one might try, Hammer's sincerity in the film can't be taken at face value.
Branagh a delight to watch. He relishes the role as Poirot, and his energy is palpable. The mystery is interesting enough to keep viewers entertained — even though there's sometimes so much information that it gets convoluted. The final act feels rushed, with information overload as the case gets solved. The film could have cut down on the unnecessary scenes in the pre-honeymoon events of the first act.
As for the rest of the cast, they play their parts well enough to drop hints about who the mystery killer is, but they don't leave as solid an impression as Branagh perhaps intended.
Overall, Death on the Nile is more entertaining plot-wise than Murder on the Orient Express, but the supporting cast isn't as strong, and Hammer's presence doesn't help the situation. The film is worthy of a one-time watch thanks to Branagh, Mackey and Gadot — and the stellar cinematography and production design.
(Disney)Set in 1937, Poirot is vacationing in Egypt, enjoying his Jaffa cakes and a perfect view of the Sphinx. Also in Egypt are newlyweds Linnet Ridgeway (a rich heiress played by Gal Gadot) and her husband Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer). The two are having a hard time enjoying their honeymoon trip as they are being stalked by Linnet's former best friend, Jacqueline de Bellefort (Emma Mackey), who was engaged to Simon only six months earlier.
Poirot's vacation is once again interrupted when he's invited on a large steamboat to join the wedding party and help the newlyweds avoid Jacqueline. Joining him on the trip is an ensemble list of guests who are each wrapped up in some combination of jealousy, revenge or envy: Poirot's friend Bouc (Tom Bateman), Bouc's mother (Annette Bening), jazz singer (Sophie Okonedo) and her niece (Laetita Wright), nurse (Dawn French), Linnet's cousin and lawyer (Ali Fazal), a doctor and Linnet's former lover (Russell Brand), and a maid (Rose Leslie).
When someone on board is murdered, Poirot is tasked with using his sharp skills to solve the case.
Branagh is clearly fond of the Agatha Christie material, and is a filmmaker who boldly tackles the whodunit genre with humour and wit. As in his previous film, he employs an exotic production design that's as much a character in the movie as the heavyweight names.
Gal Gadot has a commanding presence as she dazzles her guests with her beauty and wealth, making her presence felt so strongly that, when she's not onscreen, she is missed. Emma Mackey, who became a recognizable name thanks to her work on Netflix's Sex Education, holds her own even while surrounded by Gadot and Hammer. The trio is at the centre of the story and, for a newcomer like Mackey, the fact that she leaves an impression is a testament to her onscreen skills. (It's a hard to ignore the presence of Hammer, however, considering the horrifying accusations of assault made against him. There's a scene in which Jacqueline is grinding on Simon as part of a passionate dance routine, but instead of showing the couple in love, it just comes across as icky. Even though one might try, Hammer's sincerity in the film can't be taken at face value.
Branagh a delight to watch. He relishes the role as Poirot, and his energy is palpable. The mystery is interesting enough to keep viewers entertained — even though there's sometimes so much information that it gets convoluted. The final act feels rushed, with information overload as the case gets solved. The film could have cut down on the unnecessary scenes in the pre-honeymoon events of the first act.
As for the rest of the cast, they play their parts well enough to drop hints about who the mystery killer is, but they don't leave as solid an impression as Branagh perhaps intended.
Overall, Death on the Nile is more entertaining plot-wise than Murder on the Orient Express, but the supporting cast isn't as strong, and Hammer's presence doesn't help the situation. The film is worthy of a one-time watch thanks to Branagh, Mackey and Gadot — and the stellar cinematography and production design.
