While the reviews were mixed, with many comparisons made to Sidney Lumet’s 1974 adaptation of the best-selling Agatha Christie whodunit, I decided to approach the 2017 version with an open mind.
I wasn’t disappointed.
Instead, I was impressed with director Kenneth Branagh who also took on the role of Hercule Poirot. Donning an exotic mustache, Branagh delivers an excellent performance as the finicky Belgian detective, famous for solving everything from elaborate murder plots to uneven boiled eggs. The all-star cast includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Penelope Cruz, Derek Jacobi, Willem Dafoe, and Daisy Ridley.
The storyline follows Poirot from Jerusalem to Istanbul to a lavish train ride on the Orient Express. After an unpleasant encounter with gangster Samuel Ratchett (Johnny Depp), Poirot retires for the evening. That night, Poirot hears strange noises coming from Ratchett’s compartment and later witnesses a woman in a red kimono running down the hallway. An avalanche occurs, causing the train to derail, stranding the passengers.
The following morning, Poirot learns that Ratchett was stabbed to death sometime during the night. While early clues suggest that Ratchett was murdered by a lone man, Poirot believes the solution to the crime lies within a single locked carriage containing twelve first-class passengers. As Poirot conducts his interviews, he uncovers a series of connections and coincidences related to a tragic kidnapping case.
Faithful to Christie’s tale, the convoluted plot will keep you engaged right to the end. As will the antics of the other passengers, especially husband hunter Caroline Hubbard (Michelle Pfeiffer) and exiled Russian Princess Dragomiroff (Judi Dench).
Designer Alexandra Byrne captures the period beautifully with the lavish costumes, and cinematographer Haris Zambarloukos treats us to spectacular vistas of Jerusalem, Istanbul, and snow-covered mountain ranges…definitely Oscar-worthy achievements.
A stylish and suspenseful movie that will delight mystery lovers!
Linda O’Connor started writing a few years ago when she needed a creative outlet other than subtly rearranging the displays at the local home décor store. It turns out she loves writing romantic comedies and has a few more stories to tell. When not writing, she’s a physician at an Urgent Care Clinic (well, even when she is writing she’s a physician, and it shows up in her stories).
Here’s Stacy!
6. I have traveled to Puerto Rico, where HOTTER THAN THE CARIBBEAN takes place. In fact, I’ve traveled there many times, including Condado Beach and Old San Juan. Most of HOTTER takes place in these two locations. When I was growing up, my mother had the travel bug, and a love for the Caribbean. She’s been taking me there since I was five. This summer, my mom and I once again returned to the Caribbean, although we headed to Puerto Rico’s next-door-neighbor, Dominican Republic. We traveled from Punta Cana to Santo Domingo. We took my kids, who were amazed by the eco beaches, sugar crops, and banana trees.
My Second Act is actually a Third Act. I have a degree in graphic design and illustration. After graduating college I spent a short period of time working at two different advertising agencies run by misogynistic male chauvinists before landing a position as a layout artist for John Wanamaker, the premier department store in Philadelphia.
Joanne Guidoccio 