Review of ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ - 2017 film

Kenneth Branagh doesn’t disappoint with his larger than life portrayal of Agatha Christie’s infamous Belgian Detective, Hercules Poirot. The opening lines of the English crime writer’s intriguing 1934 novel ‘Murder On The Orient Express (a tale with a twist)', as presented by Branagh, also gives us an insight into Poirot’s world and the possible adventures which lie ahead.

‘My name is Hercule Poirot and I am probably the greatest detective in the world’ is one of the lines which the actor/ director Kenneth Branagh (quite often also found on the stage leading Shakespearean plays) may have been born to say.

Lines like: ‘I can only see the world as it should be and when it is not, the imperfections stand out like the nose on the middle of a face’ are delivered impeccably by Branagh in a quite convincing Belgian accent. Not too much Belgian waffle served here! Kenneth Branagh, who stars in and directs this 2017 mystery drama film, often delights in the delivery of his lines. As do we.

Branagh continues: ‘it makes most of life unbearable, but it is useful with the detection of crime’ also give us a continued view of Poirot’s sometimes tortured existence, as he sets out to detect and solve some devilishly intriguing wrong-doings, as only he can.

It’s a majestic performance from Branagh as the moustached detective, which helps to propel the 1930’s drama into the most modern of cinematic feasts for the eyes and the ears. Poirot’s presence is matched by a very fine international cast, which includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Johnny Depp, Penelope Cruz, Leslie Odom Jr. and Judi Dench.

This is the third screen adaption since the original 1974 film. Agatha Christie died two years after the original film was made, aged 85. Remakes always have a fair bit to live up to. On that score, the acting is faultless and the 1930s original drama responds well to the modern cinematic treatment with well choreographed scenes, as well as attention to detail. The scenes are often shot in breathtaking, exotic locations, with costumes that also convince us it is the 1930s again. We are whisked away on the famous trans-European train for an olde worlde crime solving drama that takes us back to the early 20th century, as re-confirmed by the script.

Perhaps some of the dialogue could have done with a re-write to bring it up to date, but would that take us too far away from Christie’s original work? Perhaps part of the triumph is to have this classic literary novel recreated for cinema today. The way times have changed are clear for all to see. It’s a treat to see Christie’s writings come to life with a modern cinematic touch. Perhaps they should inspire us to (continue to) write some equally thrilling contemporary classics for the 21st Century!