Perplexing in the Wrong Way: Sleuth

Sleuth (Advance Screening)
Directed by Kenneth Branagh
To be released October 12, 2007

This remake of the 1972 film starring Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine puts Jude Law is Caine's original role, with Caine taking over the Olivier part. I have not seen the original film, but I absolutely think that this would work better as a play. The blocking is overly deliberate and often distracting from the film's continuity, which is not entirely surprising given director Kenneth Branagh's passion for making Shakespeare films. Usually terrific actors Caine and Law are stuck in unimpressive roles, with Caine being too manipulative and controlling, and Law too excitable and generally jolly. The motivations for and structure of the film make little sense, and its progression is a convoluted and often inexplicable one. Development is elusive and the second half of the film is absolutely bizarre and occasionally creepy. This concept may have worked better in the 1972 version, but it is really a failure here.

D-