Death on the Nile

One of the most intriguing genres produced in Hollywood is that of the murder mystery, or commonly known as the whodunit. The queen of the murder mystery is that of the famed Agatha Christie, whose written many novels in which films have been based. "Death on the Nile" is actually a second attempt at Christie's novel, and it is fraught with many twists that will keep the audience perpetually guessing the question...whodunit?

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's (Kenneth Branagh) Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple's, Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot) and Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer), idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short. Set against an epic landscape of sweeping desert vistas and the majestic Giza pyramids. This tale of unbridled passion and incapacitating jealousy feature a cosmopolitan group of impeccably dressed travelers, including Euphemia Bouc (Annette Bening), Bouc (Tom Bateman), Windlesham (Russell Brand), Marie Van Schuyler (Jennifer Saunders), Rosalie Otterbourne (Leticia Wright), Jackie de Bellefort (Emma Mackey), and others, and enough wicked twists and turns to leave audiences guessing until the final, shocking denouement. 

Others to round out the cast are Ali Fazal as Katchadourian, Dawn French as Bowers, Sophie Okonedo as Salome Otterbourne, Rose Leslie as Louise Bourget and Michael Rouse as Private Laurin. 

This was cleverly delineated by director Kenneth Branagh ("Henry V" '89, "Much Ado About Nothing" '93, "Hamlet" '96, "As You Like It" '06, "Sleuth" '07, "Thor" '11, "Cinderella" '15, "Murder on the Orient Express" '17, "Artemis Fowl" '20, "Belfast" '21) plus others, shorts and two live theatre productions. Obviously being a consummate actor has allowed Branagh to become the filmmaker he has turned into...the quintessential actor's director. The tenseness within each character development was astounding, where it simply kept the audience on the edge of their seat. I always marvel how directors can direct themselves, but suffice it to say, it's a true talent, and not many actors can achieve this. It was equally well written by Michael Green ("Green Lantern" '11, "Logan" '17, "Blade Runner 2049" '17, "Murder on the Orient Express" '17, "The Call of the Wild" '20, "Jungle Cruise" '21) plus TV, shorts and a video, based on the novel by Agatha Christie. Certainly, Green is a newer screenwriter, however in the last decade plus, he has written some creative, well honed screenplays. Other than a couple of very small places of continuity issues, this script soared. Whodunits can be tricky to write and keep the fluidity intact as the film unfolds, but this writer pulled it off and we, the audience, are only the victors of it. Lastly, the cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos bsc/gsc ("Camera Obscure" 2000, "Sleuth" '07, "Thor" '11, "Locke", '12"Murder on the Orient Express" '17, "Belfast" '21) was crisp, and simply, through its warm tones complimenting the Egyptian terrain, enhanced the story that much more. 

If you like Agatha Christie or whodunits, you will revel with this production. It's lavish production values and sweeping Egyptian locales makes this a pleasure to watch. In a time where we need escapism so much, this would be the time. This fulfills all our needs to be able to escape: beautiful locales, interesting characters, fine directing and writing. Enjoy. I know I did. It's also in an IMAX format if you prefer. 

Out of 4 Stars: 3.5                                             Rated: PG-13                                                127mins.