Movie Review: 'Knives Out'

Agatha Christie goes to the movies in 2019. The film she chooses is Knives Out – one that she might have created herself. The pieces to this story/puzzle are all in place – a death of questionable cause, various suspects and numerous reasons for the death. It’s all here, so sit back, Ms. Christie, organize the pieces and revel in a true traditional murder mystery – 2019.

Harian Trombey (Christopher Plummer) is celebrating his 85th birthday. To mark this event he has invited various family members to join him for a party at his lavish country estate. The guest list includes his daughters, Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Joni Trombey (Toni Collette), his son Walt Trombey (Michael Shannon) and numerous spouses and offspring.

The only guest Harian did not invite, but who appears post-party, is the mysterious detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). Harian has also asked his trusted maid and confidant, Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), to orchestrate and oversee this momentous occasion.

Following the party Harian is found in his study, dead by questionable means. Is his death by his own hand or by someone else’s? Harian’s extreme wealth, many valued possessions and thriving publishing house suggest the solution to his grizzly and untimely demise may be more complicated than at first noted. Adding to the puzzle is the little known fact that he had visited his solicitors prior to his birthday celebration.

With an isolated exception, almost everyone attending the party is in financial distress or will be in the near future. They are also not all that enamored with the cranky 85-year-old. His grandson, Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans), is an exception. The two have always gotten along quite well – there is a strange bond between the two.

The one “mystery” guest, Benoit Blanc, has yet to offer any indication of why he and his associate are in attendance. The two lurk in the background, appearing here and there at unexpected moments. Benoit finally offers the reason as to why he was invited to the party, but not the who. Even he doesn’t know who invited him.

Now all the puzzle pieces are in place for Ms. Christie, and her fellow viewers to assemble and arrive at “who-done-it.” And how can one not be curious to know if anyone can solve the murder mystery faster than famed author Agatha Christie?

Knives Out is directed by Rian Johnson (Credits: Looper, The Last Jedi) and is a “must see” movie that runs 130 minutes.

johan@beachcomber.news