MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (2017)

I was in the mood for something undemanding and comforting, so I decided to watch Kenneth Branagh's take on the Agatha Christie classic.

Although I have to confess that this is not one of my favourite Christies.  It's one of those stories of hers where once you know the outcome there's not a lot of pleasure in going over it again because neither the plot mechanics nor the characters are that interesting.

And unlike other stories of hers that have been adapted (such as 'Death on the Nile' and 'Evil Under The Sun') this story doesn't lend itself to a light or camp approach.

We start off with a dire but mercifully short episode in Jerusalem which introduces us to Hercule Poirot.  Well, a version of the famous Belgian detective at least.  Not one that is very close to Christie's creation - that would of course be David Suchet's portrayal on TV.  Nor a version that has Peter Ustinov's charm.

Instead this Poirot is very active (he can run for example when the need arises), has a very ugly moustache, and spends a fair bit of screentime mooning over some lost love from the past.

We are also introduced to his sidekick for the trip, Bouc, the nephew of the owner of the Orient Express.  I didn't take to the character or the actor playing him, but never mind I thought, there is the star studded cast to enjoy.

In the 1974 adaptation (directed by Sidney Lumet) Ingrid Bergman picked up a Best Supporting Actress Oscar, for a role played by Penélope Cruz in this version.  Whereas clearly Bergman was able to make a big impact, Cruz doesn't, which probably speaks to Lumet being a better director, working with a better screenplay.

This version feels rather lifeless in terms of drama, and most of the cast, especially Judi Dench and Olivia Colman, are wasted.  It's notable that Branagh's Poirot gets more screentime than do all the supporting suspects combined.  Some of Branagh's directing decisions are odd to say the least, notably a weird and distracting overhead shot at one point.

There are some scenes which take place outside the stranded express, presumably for no good reason than just to vary the setting.  But despite the sub-zero temperatures, Poirot doesn't wear an overcoat, nor does his breath freeze.  This just serves to emphasise that we're not on location but instead in a studio, augmented by CGI and the like.  It's a minor point but it irritated me throughout.  Some of the exterior CGI is not that great, but at least the interior of the train is sumptuous.

As the hosts of the 'All About Agatha' podcast note, the screenplay does away with quite a few of the clues that are in the book, so that Poirot doesn't get to do that much actual deduction.

On a more positive note I was pleased that Michelle Pfeiffer, one of my favourite actresses, does get an opportunity to shine, as the instigator of the murder plot, especially during the denouement.

But overall this is a disappointment, and I won't be seeking out the sequel, 'Death On The Nile'.

RATING: x Curb Your Enthusiasm