The Elegance of Crime

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MOVIE REVIEW
Murder on the Orient Express – 50th Anniversary (4K UHD)
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Genre: Mystery, Crime, Drama
Year Released: 1974, 2024 Kino Lorber 4K
Runtime: 2h 8m
Director(s): Sidney Lumet
Writer(s): Agatha Christie, Paul Dehn, Anthony Shaffer
Cast: Albert Finney, Sean Connery, Ingrid Bergman, Anthony Perkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Lauren Bacall, Martin Balsam, Jacqueline Bisset, Jean-Pierre Cassel, John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Rachel Roberts, Richard Widmark, Michael York, Colin Blakely, George Coulouris, Denis Quilley, Vernon Dobtcheff
Where To Watch: available now here: www.kinolorber.com or www.amazon.com

RAVING REVIEW: Sidney Lumet's rendition of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS immerses us in a luxurious saga filled with intrigue and mystery, underpinned by a constellation of stellar performances by Albert Finney, Ingrid Bergman, and Sean Connery. The visual splendor and the complex plot hold the promise of a classic thriller. Still, the film’s leisurely pacing and lack of depth in character exploration can dampen the overall excitement. Amid the plush interiors of the famed locomotive, the story chugs along, revealing a murder that should accelerate the heart rate but occasionally feels like a slow burn rather than a pulsating ride.

The movie is anchored by Finney's portrayal of Hercule Poirot, whose eccentric demeanor infuses the narrative with a distinct flavor. His navigation through the snow-bound train, packed with mysterious characters, transforms the plot into an organized cat-and-mouse game driven more by dialogue than action. While faithful to Christie’s style, this cerebral approach might not cater to all appetites, as it sometimes subdues the film's potential vibrancy.

Despite their proven resumes, the impressive ensemble cast often appears underused, with many characters relegated to the background to serve Poirot's intellectual showcase. Bergman, for instance, while luminous in her brief moments on screen, is not given enough material to showcase her talents fully, epitomizing the film's broader issue: a focus on cerebral deductions over emotional resonance. This approach leaves the characters feeling like well-dressed chess pieces rather than fleshed-out individuals, diminishing the audience's emotional connection to the narrative.

Lumet’s conservative directorial approach prioritizes the period's authenticity and the plot's complexity over dynamic storytelling techniques. The cinematography is a feast for the eyes, precisely capturing the era's glamour. However, the confined spaces within the train's compartments sometimes feel as constrictive to the narrative as they are to the characters, limiting the story’s scope and development.

A significant moral dilemma emerges as the mystery unravels, adding a philosophical layer to the film that elevates it above a mere puzzle-solving exercise. The ethical questions posed by Poirot’s final revelations inject a dose of gravitas into the storyline, offering viewers a chance to ponder justice and morality. Yet, exploring these themes doesn’t delve as deep as it might, with the film seemingly more invested in resolving the mystery than exploring its resolution's implications.

For enthusiasts of classic mysteries and Christie’s labyrinthine plots, Lumet’s film remains a visually arresting experience, showcasing his ability to craft compelling period narratives. It is an elegant, though slightly flawed, tribute to Christie's legacy. It is marked by high-caliber performances and rich visual detail but hampered by its methodical pacing and a script that doesn't allow its characters to come alive fully. So, you may be confused by my rating of the film while also putting into question so many aspects of the production. Those aspects make me love the movie; it feels like the book oozed into the film and became exactly what it was meant to be!

MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is a polished homage to Christie’s work, capturing the essence of the mystery with grace and style. It is a testament to Lumet’s directorial style and a reminder of the inherent challenges in adapting such intricate stories. While it entertains and provokes thought, it also illustrates the delicate balance between adhering to tradition and engaging a modern audience.

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[photo courtesy of KINO LORBER]

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