Who doesn’t love a good murder mystery? The classic tale of Murder on the Orient Express written by Agatha Christie hit the big screens as an adaptation of the novel with the same name. It is a remake of the Oscar award winning 1973 film with a similar plot with minor changes to the story. The star studded cast does not disappoint in this tale of murder and mystery while the main protagonist is thrown into an unlikely situation in which he is forced to uncover the truth. Directed and led by Kenneth Branagh, his character, the Belgian detectice Hercules Poirot is gifted with an undeniable eye for detail in solving the most difficult and nearly unsolvable mysteries. His character is thoroughly enjoyable to watch for his over the top personality which bodes wells with the time era and the visually extravagant setting. For those of you who are familiar with the storyline, it does not stray far from the original but it is still a very enjoyable.
The film is set in the 1930s in the most theatrical manner beginning in Jerusalem where Detective Poirot showcases his talent in uncovering the mystery crime. After stunning the crowded with an unexpected truth, Poirot heads to board the Orient Express who happens to be ran by an old friend, Mousier Bouc (played by Tom Bateman). Full steam ahead to their destination (England), the detective is bothered multiple times by a business tycoon named Ratchett (played by Johnny Depp) in hopes that Poirot would protect him from a possible threat aboard the train. The detective stressed that he only solves mysteries and does not protect. As the plot thickens, Ratchett is later found stabbed to death is his cabin with a handful of clues that only Poirot could work with. Each character is wildly unique and has remarkable stage presence in the storyline. They are all given ample screen time for the audience to chew over who could possibly be the culprit behind the murder. The list of characters are far too long to analyze and introduce one by one but know that each one serves a purpose and is very well played by each actor/actress chosen for said roles.
The 1920s art deco design of the movie and it’s setting is by far my favorite aspect of the movie and the lavish costuming is enough reason to go watch this movie. It is visually appealing even if the story does fall a little in the middle of the unraveling. I’ll be honest, I probably fell asleep for about 10-15 minutes in the middle of the detective questioning each passenger. Even after sleeping for a short time, I didn’t have to follow to know who committed the crime because it is who you least expect. The film was enjoyable and I would watch it again in the future. If you are a fan of the Agatha Christie novels, then it is a must-see and if not then I’d still suggest to go see it! It’s fun, whimsical and takes you through visual interpretation of the table top board game of Clue. I give it an 8 out 10!
Watch the Official Trailer of Murder on the Orient Express down below:
Movie Stills and Photos Courtesy of 20th Century Fox
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Page
Student Author - Spring 2018
Linda Page is a Senior at Gulf Coast State College and is pursuing her B.A.S in the Digital Media Program. She will be graduating in the fall and could not be more excited for what lies ahead. Linda decided to study Digital Media because she has a desire to pursue a career in the ever-growing technology field. Digital Media is so multifaceted and is perfect for someone who is interested in various aspects of technology like Linda. After graduation, she hopes to travel the world and find a job that suits her. In her spare time, she loves improving her photography skills, eat all the food she possibly can and binge watch netflix originals.
