Please welcome new contributor Josh Bierman...
The trailer for Death on the Nile, Kenneth Branagh’s latest Agatha Christie remake, arrived recently and we haven't discussed. Do we think this will be better than his previous venture Murder on the Orient Express or is it another vanity project? Let’s take a look...
YES
• The cast is stacked and beautiful. It’s not as stacked and beautiful as the last movie, but that’s bound to happen when you’re losing Penelope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer, and that perennial sexpot Dame Judi Dench.
• It’s always a treat to see Sophie Okonedo in a movie. Even more of a treat to see her in period garb in front of an old timey microphone. Maybe she’s the hero 2020 needs.
• The two opening shots excited me. I’ve always wanted to go to Egypt and since March I’ve really wanted to leave my house. The film was shot on location, so here’s hoping we’re treated to more imagery like that and we can pretend we’re somewhere that isn’t our living room.
• One of the things the the remake of Murder on the Orient Express got right was having a keen eye for the period and that’s the case here, too. The costuming and production design are gorgeous and look faithful to the era.
NO
• As a gay man, my first thought after watching was: Annette Bening is in this movie and you’re not going to feature her until :50 into the trailer? And when you do she’s making this face?! The first time I watched I literally blinked and only saw her for the first time at 1:26. (While I have a flair for hyperbole, I’m dead serious. I had to slow down the speed of the video to get that screenshot. The moment is THAT fleeting.) Maybe she’s barely in the movie or she’ll have her moments in another trailer. It’s more likely that they’re trying to pull in superhero movie lovers by prominently featuring Gal Gadot and Letitia Wright (no shade, I got a kick out of seeing them here). Regardless, that woman did not lose to Hilary Swank twice only to continue to be treated this poorly.
• I’m tempted to say “no” to this movie in general. Do we really need another go of Kenneth Branagh in this role? The first one was entertaining, but it left me wondering one thing: why? Sidney Lumet made a great version of Agatha Christie’s story in 1974 with a really fun performance from Albert Finney as Poirot. I’m not convinced Branagh added anything to either the story or his portrayal to warrant a remake, but....
MAYBE SO
• ....maybe it helps that this time around he’s remaking a film that wasn’t as popular as it’s predecessor. The 1974 adaptation was a box office success (just missing the top 10 of 1974 at #11) and garnered six Oscar nominations including a win for Ingrid Bergman. The original Death on the Nile was released in 1978 to mixed reviews and a middling box office. Despite its all star cast, it seems to have faded from the memory of moviegoers more than its predecessor (full disclosure: I haven’t seen the ‘78 version, though the cast is making me rethink that). Perhaps that works in Branagh’s favor? His movie won’t be in the shadow of an old Oscar favorite and there's room to improve on its lukewarm reception.
• I kept trying to figure out who was that bearded and bespectacled man featured multiple times. I thought it was maybe Oscar Isaac until the credits rolled and I was shocked to read that it was none other than filthy comic of yesteryear, Russell Brand! I haven’t seen him in years, though an IMDb search revealed he’s been on HBO’s Ballers for the last two years. Who would have thunk the former Mr. Katy Perry would turn up in an Agatha Christie whodunit? And this may be the quarantine brain talking, but he’s actually looking kind of cute. Glad to see he’s treated himself to a shower and a haircut. It’s more than I can say for most folks these days. Is Russell Brand on the verge of a career renaissance with his new poor man’s Oscar Isaac lewk? Probably not, but ~maybe so~.
By now I’ve pontificated as much as Poirot. What say you? Are you looking forward to Death on the Nile or would you rather die on the Nile?