TMS Movie Review: Death on the Nile
(20th Century Studios / TSG Entertainment)
After being postponed for two full years for various reasons ranging from post-production issues, to an unexpected global pandemic, to a bizarre scandal involving male star Armie Hammer; Kenneth Branagh’s new adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Death on the Nile is finally in theaters. Following Branagh’s first Christie screen adaptation, Murder on the Orient Express (2017), movie fans have been wondering if the new whodunit interpretation was just fated with bad luck, or really as bland as the previous film. Christie’s mystery tales have been grabbing readers and viewers for up to a century now with a vintage charm that takes you back to the early 20th century. So why do Branagh’s versions keep underperforming?
In 1937 Egypt, Detective Poirot (Branagh) is invited as an extra guest aboard a luxurious yacht doubling as a wedding reception and honeymoon for Simon Doyle (Hammer) and Linnet Ridgeway (Gal Gadot). Other attendees include Simon’s former fiancée and Linnet’s old friend Jackie de Bellefort (Emma Mackey); Linnet’s previous boyfriend Linus Windlesham (Russell Brand); Linnet’s personal maid Louise (Rose Leslie); Poirot’s longtime friend Bouc (Tom Bateman); and Tom’s new lady friend Rosalie (Laetitia Wright). Barely into the festivities, melodrama and suspense reign over the cruise along the Nile River.
(20th Century Studios / TSG Entertainment)
Annette Bening plays Bouc’s mother, Sophie Okonedo co-stars as Rosalie’s aunt and the UK comedy duo Dawn French & Jennifer Saunders even appear. Death on the Nile is a little bit of good and bad cinematically. The cast has a nice variety of faces and talent, especially Leslie and Wright who are both charismatic in their roles. Bening, Okonedo, and French & Saunders seem to be having fun with their characters, while Branagh and Hammer up the hammy, scene chewing for everyone. Brand’s participation is a bit of an afterthought in execution, while Gadot is unfortunately the weakest link of the stars. Though the story is set primarily in Egypt, all of Death on the Nile was filmed in London, England, with a few shots making it clear there was some CGI and green screens used.
I do think Branagh’s direction is a little more interesting and versatile this time around compared to Orient Express, but that could also be because the setting is more elaborate than a traditional train. Without spoiling too much, the casting of French & Saunders in their roles is surprisingly inspired and even a little sweet to lighten the mood as well. But a lot of the time, Death on the Nile is just kind of bland and forgettable, especially compared to John Guillermin’s 1978 film adaptation. Death on the Nile might be a better choice than Kat Coiro’s Marry Me this February, but you would probably do better with one of the recent Oscar nominees instead.