Listening to several interviews with Knives Out director-writer Rian Johnson, he mentioned several influences on his take on the “Whodunnit?” genre (including some very obscure ones like The Last Of Shelia). I’d heard of Sleuth (1972) ever since an old movie book I once read spoiled the ending with its chapter on ‘Classic Movie Deaths’. I knew that it was based on a play (written by Anthony Shaffer) and was a battle of oneupmanship between two protagonists. Finally watching it, even though I knew some of the twists and some turns might be a bit obvious now, I still had a rollicking good time thanks to the spirited performances by Sir Laurence Olivier as the wealthy mystery writer and Michael Caine as the hairdresser who is having an affair with his wife, invited to their countryside mansion to indulge in some games that turn quite nasty. Caine is in peak form with his blue blazer and shouty cockney accent while Olivier is having a ball as the mischievous upper crust snob. The class politics of Knives Out have their antecedent in the on-going clash between Olivier’s ruling class attitude and snide commentary on Caine’s working class, immigrant parent origins. Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz, there’s an elaborate set design of contraptions, fineries, puzzles and creepy animated dolls in the house where the main action is set. Sleuth is an entertaining puzzle movie that adds commentary to the murder mystery genre while serving a full banquet of acting between the two co-leads. Available to stream on Amazon Prime – hopefully there’s a better quality version elsewhere. I know there’s a remake with Caine in the older part but am wary of anything Kenneth Branagh directs. Anyway, the original is recommended.
VHS Tracking 