Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express

Starring Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Pfeiffer, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench

Directed by Kenneth Branagh

The Story:
After uncovering a mysterious crime in Jerusalem, world-renowned detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) boards the Orient Express for some much needed rest and relaxation.  However, that's hardly the case, as someone is murdered on the train, and everyone on board had a motive for the murder.  He struggles to identify the killer as time runs out, and fears that the killer could strike again rises.

The Synopsis:
Agatha Christie was one of the world's most prolific authors, writing a total of 66 mystery detective novels an introducing the world to two iconic characters - Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot.  Her most striking piece of work was easily "Murder on the Orient Express," a book that's been made into several television series, radio broadcasts, and a 1974 film starring Albert Finney as Poirot that received critical acclaim (earning an Oscar for Ingrid Bergman).

So when acclaimed actor and director Kenneth Branagh (who's directed films from "Hamlet" to "Thor") decided to tackle and ages-old tale, he had a large pedigree to live up to.  While it's not a perfect film, it's fully entertaining and leaves the audience immersed in the story - even if Branagh's fake mustache is totally distracting (funny side note, Christie - who was still alive when the 1974 film was released - mocked Finney's mustache, and Branagh's is even worse).

Branagh fully envelops Poirot from top to bottom - from his OCD-like tendencies of wanting eggs cooked perfectly, to having everything put in its perfect place and getting annoyed at peoples' ties being a bit off - and he gives off an air of sullen superiority, even introducing himself as the world's greatest detective.  There's no crime he can't solve, no murderer he can't uncover, no mystery left unresolved.  So when a man is murdered on the Orient Express, he thinks it will be another slam dunk case - except he soon discovers that everyone on the train had a motive to kill the man, and no one is who they say they are.  This causes him to spiral into a bit of self-doubt, before rising to the challenge and tackling his most difficult case ever.

The setting is the early 1930s, and the film is lavish with its fashion and decorations, which are absolutely beautiful.  The train is an old classic, the costumes are distinguished and lavish, and the entire cinematography gives hints of the classic film noir style in which you'd typically find a murder mystery.  It doesn't pander to the audience, but rather includes them in the search for the killer, a thrilling whodunit crime caper in the guise of Dick Tracy, that transports us to a different time and place.

The set design is one of beautiful danger - the train is stuck after an avalanche atop a rickety bridge, and that serves as an apt metaphor for the struggle happening within (another interesting note: Christie rode the Orient Express when it was stuck for 24 hours after flooding prevented it from moving, and she based several of her characters on people she encountered on the train).  The pure white snow sitting atop the mountainous area serves as a vastly differing juxtaposition of the darkness that goes on in the train. 

The film also features an amazing ensemble cast, but also stumbles with the typical issues a strong ensemble cast faces: not enough screen time.  Michelle Pfeiffer garners the most screen time (apart from Branagh) as Mrs. Hubbard, a woman who is always on the hunt for a new husband.  Then there's Daisy Ridley, who plays the governess Mary Debenham, Josh Gad as the victim's assistant, and Leslie Odom Jr. as the doctor on the train.  Besides these actors, the rest are relegated to background supporting roles with very little to work with.  Judi Dench basically just scowls throughout the film as the sullen princess, I completely forgot Willem Dafoe was even there, and Penelope Cruz is almost entirely invisible.  This is the major pitfall of the film - it should've included more no-name actors for these roles, but instead with such a high amount of talented actors, you expect more out of them than what the script allowed.

Despite this minor flaw, the film is still a fantastic tale of intrigue and mystery, a classic whodunit crime caper in the style of film noir, with a great cast and compelling story.

The Summary:
Agatha Christie's novels have had a huge impact on the world, and her most notable work was "Murder on the Orient Express," and Kenneth Branagh stayed true to her original vision in his film, combining fantastic acting and a tense whodunit caper in the classic style.

The Score: A-