Written and Directed by Rian Johnson
***1/2 (three and a half stars)
RATED PG 13
This is one of those movies that is going to be very difficult to write about but will definitely be one that I am more than certain that you will thoroughly enjoy.
First of all, in our current age of sequels, prequels, reboots, remakes, re-imaginings and all things franchised, I am still just unable to express to you enough what it means to me to be able to see something fresh and original again. While 2019 has possessed its small share of those sorts of films, they are in increasingly short supply, meaning that the arrival of something heretofore previously unknown is all the more welcome.
And so, Writer/Director Rian Johnson, fresh from his controversial, polarizing and for me, completely triumphant "Star Wars: Episode VIII-The Last Jedi" (2017), has now returned to Earth to inject new cinematic life into the classic all-star murder mystery genre with "Knives Out," a genre that admittedly never held much interest for me. Well, leave it to Johnson to craft an enormously vibrant experience that not only possesses an instantly engaging mystery but an intense yet playful agility with toying with the genre in which the central mystery houses additional mysteries and everything is held superbly aloft by a top to bottom terrific cast of characters and Johnson's inventive storytelling.
Just in the event that there are still some of you who have not yet seen this film, I will keep the plot description to a minimum. Wealthy and famous mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is celebrating his 85th birthday and has invited his family to his mansion for the festivities. By the morning after his birthday, Harlan will be found dead in his study, apparently by suicide.
Assigned to the investigation of Harlan's death is Detective Lt. Eliot (Lakeith Stanfield) and his partner (and Harlan Thrombey fan) Trooper Wagner (Noah Segan) plus a surprise visitor, the anonymously hired Private Investigator Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).
After a series of interviews with Harlan's family members, Blanc concludes that Harlan Thrombey death was not a suicide but a murder, which of course, leaves quite a number of suspects who include: Harlan's daughter and real estate mogul Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis) plus her husband Richard (Don Johnson) and their spoiled, spiteful "black sheep" son Ransom (Chris Evans); Harlan's youngest son and CEO of Harlan's publishing company, Walter (Michael Shannon), Harlan's daughter-in-law and lifestyle "influencer" Joni (Toni Collette) and then, we also have the Thrombey house staff, most notably, young Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), Harlan's night nurse, trusted confidant and friend.
Rian Johnson's Knives Out" may on the surface seem to be another version of a dusty Agatha Christie mystery but trust me, Johnson has fully invigorated the material while clearly honoring the tone, style and tenor of what Christie's body of work has achieved. Meticulously written and directed by Johnson, beautifully photographed by Cinematographer Steve Yedlin, augmented by a stunning set design and again, filled end to end with first rate performances from the entire cast, "Knives Out" is a classic murder mystery that is also as up to the minute as the daily news as the film also serves as a morality play that could easily make this film a great part of a double bill with Bong Joon-ho's superlative "Parasite."
And really, if I say any more than that, I will certainly spoil the fun and you know I would never wish to do that for you!!!
Just please allow me once again, especially as this review is going to be the last one in 2019, to extol my extreme pleasure with being witness to a film that is untethered to any previously created material, making for one of the more unique movie experiences I have had in this cinematic year. Rian Johnson's joyously fresh approach within a most familiar genre makes the entire proceedings feel completey anew. In doing so, we are now as excited about the material and story as he and his cast obviously are and I would be hard pressed to find any viewer who feels that this cast is not having a whale of a time.
As Benoit Blanc, Daniel Craig is obviously having a blast, clearly more fun than he has had in years, especially after having to descend into intense gloom as James Bond over and again. To that end, it was just wonderful to seeing the likes of the equally intense Michael Shannon and Toni Collette have the opportunity to loosen up while also fully serve their characters as fully as we know they are able. And oh the pleasure it is to witnessing a discovery! Ana de Armas is an actress I am not familiar with whatsoever and she held the screen with her wonderfully multi-layered performance with compelling ease and charm like a longtime screen veteran!!
Honestly, dear readers, there really is not much more than I can say other than the following: It is imperative for all of us who love the movies to keep lining up to support films that do not have any pre-conceived notions and perceptions. It is a dangerous time for the movies right now as the franchises are increasingly being made and as a result are filling our theaters at the expense of every other movie that we could see also. For me, one of the greatest joys in going to the movies is when I am not really sure of what to expect at all. When the anticipation mounts and the unadulterated elation that occurs when I am just so happily surprised when a cinematic story is so superbly well told.
Rian Johnson's "Knives Out" is indeed the type of film that exists when a filmmaker of Johnson's skill is allowed to create and play and invite us into his cinematic party, making for an experience that we never may have seen coming but are just thrilled we were here to receive it.
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