Murder on the Orient Express Movie Review

Released: November 2nd 2017 (UK)

Length: 114 Minutes

Certificate: 12A

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Daisy Ridley, Leslie Odom Jr, Michelle Pfeiffer, Josh Gad, Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Derek Jacobi, Marwan Kenzari and Johnny Depp

Adapted twice since its original publication in 1934, Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express journeys to the big screen a second time in 2017 with an updated take from Kenneth Branagh. When taken on its own terms, the film is an effective mystery with more than enough intrigue to keep the audience guessing.

Set in the 1930s, Murder on the Orient Express follows a collection of different faces and personalities as they travel on the Orient Express from Istanbul to France; as the title suggests, things don’t go according to plan and Belgian Detective Hecule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) finds himself tasked with solving a murder mystery with every passenger onboard the train being a potential suspect. Some of the faces on board include a dignified princess (Judi Dench), Governess Mary Debenham (Daisy Ridley), Dr Arbuthnot (Leslie Odom Jr.), religious follower Pilar Estravados (Penelope Cruz) and the snide assistant Hector McQueen (Josh Gad). Once they get on that train, the mystery proceeds fluidly as Hecule conducts his investigation, questioning each of the passengers while the plot occasionally dips into black and white flashbacks. With more details gradually revealed over the film’s runtime, it all plays out just like a classic detective novel and a few snappy twists also work to pile on the unpredictable nature of the plot. It doesn’t quite maintain this pacing all the way through though; the first act moves a bit too fast for its own good; the bustling markets of Istanbul are a neat backdrop, but we don’t learn so much about the characters and their individual traits before the board the titular train, which ends up feeding into amount of time dedicated to each passenger further down the line.

Boasting an extensive all-star cast, the 2017 rendition of Murder has plenty of talent to draw in the crowds, even if some receive more screen-time than others. Kenneth Branagh carries the central perspective as Detective Hercule Poirot and it’s an excellent performance; he’s serious about solving the case but also has a down-to-earth approachability to him that ensures things never become too self-serious. The other performances are all relatively solid; each actor on the roll creates their individual personas with enough substance to differentiate themselves from the others. Daisy Ridley, Leslie Odom Jr, Josh Gad and Michelle Pfeiffer are all equally great in this regard. But as mentioned before, the film inevitably finds problems in giving every A-list actor enough time to make their presence felt onboard the train. Willem Dafoe and Judi Dench feel particularly underused and others such as Lucy Boynton’s Countess Andrenyi feel rather insignificant to the greater narrative. Despite this missed potential, there isn’t a single weak link on the train, creating a balanced viewpoint as to who could be the killer.

While it’s minimalistic in its approach to presentation, Murder on the Orient Express still features its fair share of directorial polish; the period piece sets and costume work are all spot on with a firm embedding in the thirties that really pulls the viewer in. Most of the train is a real set with detailed, often luxurious looking objects with a reduced amount of computer effects limited to the train’s exterior and outdoor sequences. For most of the runtime, the action takes place inside the train and this was the right choice. There’s quite a bit of visual trickery employed during the camerawork, from tracking shots, POVs and a few overhead views; the camerawork keeps the viewer guessing, particularly when it comes to the character’s true motives and identities. One brilliant moment comes when Willem Dafoe’s character is split into three by a nearby reflection in the glass. The music is equally traditional with calm notes giving way to more emotional pieces that really convey the true scale of the murder mystery. All-in-all this latest version of MOTOE has a lot of respect for its time, while also adding in a few cinematic touches to create its own feel.

Despite its awkward position as a remake, Murder on the Orient Express is a juicy, engrossing mystery that just about anyone can get immersed in. The performances, while somewhat out of balance are all very strong, especially Kenneth Branagh, who will keep you hooked with both narrative and filmmaking prowess. If you’ve never seen a previous version of the film, this is the perfect time to jump in.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars (Good)