FilmSnobReviews

Title: A Haunting in Venice
MPA Rating: PG-13
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan
Runtime: 1 hr 43 mins

What It Is: Hercule Poirot (Branagh) the Belgian mastermind is now retired. It would take one hell of a case to break that self-imposed exile. When he’s offered, not a case, but a curiosity he reluctantly accepts. This curiosity is a seance. When someone is murdered at the seance it now is a mystery. One Poirot is determined to solve, in only a way he can. His old detective skills will be put to the test to figure out the why and who of whats happened here.

What We Think: I have really enjoyed these Hercule Poirot films. Kenneth Branagh is so good both in front of and behind the camera. He really feels like the natural fit for the modern Poirot. He brings intelligence and a strange charisma to the role. By and large the entire acting company here is chock full of incredible actors. Seeing Tina Fey here was a nice touch. Based on one of Agatha Christies lesser stories “Hallowe’en Party” they take this material and run with it. Despite the title this is barely a horror film of any kind. Still it’s a doomed setting. A giant house filled to the brim with suspects. A murder and slick gumshoe more than equipped to solve this.

Our Grade: B-, I really liked this. It’s an enjoyable mystery with the always likable Poirot at the center. This works with, before or after spooky season and I think it’s a well thought out film that you probably won’t see coming. With all that said this is one that pleases me and it’ll please a crowd. Make sure you check it out. I can guarantee the mystery is worth the time.