Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

When it was first announced that Kenneth Branagh was doing a new version of Murder on the Orient Express, my first thought was, "Why?" In my mind, the 1974 version was a classic and it had also just recently been redone as part of the David Suchet "Poirot" series. Did we really need yet another rendition? Yet, as a long time fan of his films, I kept an open mind, curious to see what he brought to the Belgian detective's most famous case.

We are first introduced to Hercule Poirot (played by Kenneth Branagh) as he prepares to deliver the summation of his latest investigation concerning the theft of a priceless jewel in Jerusalem. From there he is intending to travel to Istanbul for some much needed rest when he receives a telegram that he is needed urgently back in London. His friend Bouc (played by Tom Bateman), as Director of the line, offers Poirot passage on the Orient Express. Poirot gratefully accepts and soon boards the train. Amongst his fellow first class passengers, he meets the eccentric Mrs. Hubbard (played by Michelle Pfeiffer), Mary Debenham (played by Daisy Ridley), Dr. John Arbuthnot (played by Leslie Odom, Jr.), Spanish Missionary Pilar Estravados, Princess Dragomiroff (played by Judi Dench) and her maid Hildegarde Schmidt (played by Olivia Colman), Mr. Ratchett (played by Johnny Depp) and his secretary Mr. McQueen (played by Josh Gad) and valet Mr. Masterman (played by Derek Jacobi) along with assorted others. Also joining them on the trip is Bouc, accompanying Poirot personally. The trip hits a snag on the second night as the train gets stuck as the result of an avalanche, stranding the train. It is discovered the following morning that Mr. Ratchett was murdered, poisoned and stabbed 12 times specifically. Bouc requests specifically that Poirot investigate the crime before the train arrives in Yugoslavia and winds up turned over to their police. Poirot agrees to, despite preferring to stay in his cabin with his Dickens novel, but finds what initially appears to be a simple murder is anything but as he digs deeper into the crime and the backgrounds of the people on the train.

In addition to starring in the film, Kenneth Branagh directed as well and brings a new and unique vision to the Agatha Christie classic. I've always enjoyed Branagh as a director, whether it's his epic adaptation of William Shakespere's Hamlet, the warm comedy Peter's Friends or the epic Marvel film Thor, they are always handsomely mounted productions. He manages to pull of the same here. Shooting in 65mm, this film is simply gorgeous to look at either on the train or the surrounding landscapes. They also open up the action of the film more than the previous film, with some of the film moving outside the train as Poirot investigates the murder. The screenplay by Michael Green is largely a faithful adaptation, but at the same time they throw in a few new wrinkles to keep viewers familiar with the source material on their toes. The one flaw with the film is that it keeps it's focus on Poirot too much, with many of the other characters fading into the background. I get the feeling that anyone not familiar with the text may be a bit lost keeping everyone straight, or at least fully understanding how the mystery was solved. If nothing else, it relegates a genuinely great cast to the background.   

Luckily, Branagh is surprisingly good at the famous detective turning it a fun and at times moving performance. It is a different interpretation in some ways than what we have seen before, but I still really enjoyed it. However, he has saddled himself with what has to be one of the more ridiculous mustaches I've seen on screen. When the 1974 film came out, Agatha Christie famously said she was unimpressed with the mustache of Albert Finney's Poirot and I can't help but feel like they over corrected here. It took some getting used to at least. Daisy Ridley has a nice turn here as well as Mary Debenham, who catches Poirot's interests early in film when he overhears her speaking to John Arbuthnot and what they said raises his suspicions once the murder has been committed. She does well playing her character and conveying so much in the few scenes she is featured front and center. Josh Gad has a few great moments as Mr. McQueen, who also finds himself as a prime suspect, given his access to the victim. Michelle Pfeiffer has a nice turn as Mrs. Hubbard and I got the sense she was having some fun with the part. Johnny Depp is likewise having fun with his role as the despicable Mr. Ratchett, who shares a scene with Poirot and tries to hire him as his bodyguard, which Poirot refuses. But beyond that, I feel like the rest of the cast was a bit wasted, to be honest. Penelope Cruz has a nice moment towards the end, but other than that was relegated to the background. Likewise, Leslie Odom Jr. has a memorable moment towards the end, but other than that not so much. Judi Dench barely makes an impact as Princess Dragomiroff nor Derek Jacobi as Mr. Masterman. Willem Dafoe also appears as a German Professor, but only has one or two moments in the film. The interview scenes are intercut and almost glossed over which robs so many actors of wonderful character moments that the 1974 film juggled so well, and also makes critical plot points easy to miss. It's the one downside for me in an otherwise wonderful adapatation. It's not any of the actor's faults but rather it's the writing or the editing that cuts the film's individual moments with each of them short.   

Overall, I did enjoy the film. I have a few small nitpicks to be sure, but I really liked Branagh's take on Poirot. The film does end with a cheeky opening for a sequel, something about someone dying on the Nile River, and I for one would welcome a second outing with his Poirot. I would just hope he doesn't rush things quite so much the next time around and let his characters have a little more room to establish themselves.