KNIVES OUT : Monday 2nd December 2019

Here with a change of pace and genre compared to his last mega budget space opera epic that was 2017's 'Star Wars : The Last Jedi', Rian Johnson here writes, Directs and Co-Produces this M Rated throw back to the murder mystery whodunit's of yesteryear with 'KNIVES OUT', which I saw at my local multiplex earlier this week. Aside from the aforementioned 'Star Wars' instalment, Johnson has also Directed and Written 'Brick' (his big screen debut in 2005), then 'The Brothers Bloom', 'Looper' and helmed several episodes of 'Breaking Bad' in between. In wanting to craft an Agatha Christie inspired type film, Johnson sought the influences from such classic comedic murder mystery crime stories as 'Murder on the Orient Express', 'Murder by Death', 'Death on the Nile', 'The Mirror Crack'd', 'Evil Under the Sun', 'Deathtrap' and 'Clue'. With a budget of US$40M, the film saw its World Premier at TIFF in early September, went on general release last week, has so far grossed US$76M and has generated widespread Critical acclaim.

And so, here we have renowned and wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) who invites his extended dysfunctional family to his remote mansion on his 85th birthday in hopes of reuniting them all. However, the morning after the birthday party, Harlan is found dead by Harlan's housekeeper - the loyal Fran (Edie Patterson), with his throat slit, and the knife still in his hand - allegedly suicide.

A few days later, following the funeral, an anonymous figure has hired a successful and well regarded private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) to support the local Police Dept. consisting of Detective Lieutenant Elliot (Lakeith Stanfield) and Trooper Wagner (Noah Segan) in their investigations. Elliot and Wagner begin questioning the individual members of the family unit who were all present in the house the night before for the birthday celebrations, with Blanc looking on, observing and taking mental notes.

They start with Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis) Harlan's eldest daughter and a real estate guru who runs her own company, and according to her a self made woman, even though she started with a $1M loan from her father. They then move to Richard Drysdale (Don Johnson) Harlan's son-in-law and Linda's husband, who helps run his wife's company. We learn early on that Harlan had photographic evidence of Richard in a compromising position with another woman, and how Harlan had intended to expose his infidelity to Linda the next day. In discussion with the Detectives Richard puts another spin on this tale entirely.

We then move to Walt Thrombey (Michael Shannon), Harlan's youngest son, and the acting CEO of his Dad's publishing company. Walt had always wanted to sell the film and television rights to Harlan's extensive back catalogue of publications, but Harlan had always intervened and strictly forbidden it. At the party, Harlan effectively fires Walt from his position at the publishing company, saying that it is time for him to go his own way in life and find the niche with which to make his own fortune - much to Walt's chagrin.

Then there is Joni Thrombey (Toni Collette), Harlans daughter-in-law and the wife of Harlan's deceased son Neil (who died fifteen years previously). She is a lifestyle guru and influencer and mother to Meg (Katherine Langford) who studies at a liberal arts college funded by Harlan to the tune of $100K a year. Harlan has discovered that Joni was double dipping the money meant for his granddaughter's tuition over the last four years, amounting to $400K, and as such cuts off her allowance. Needless to see when questioned, Joni also puts a different spin on this conversation.

And then there is Hugh Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans) - the adult son of Linda and Richard, who is a rebellious spoiled and lazy playboy - although Harlan has a soft spot for Ransom, and sees himself in the young man. Ransom is the only member of the family who did not attend the funeral, but was overheard arguing with Harlan the night of his birthday party by Jacob Thrombey (Jaeden Martell) Harlan's teenage grandson, Walt and Donna's son, who holds alternative rightwing opinions and is constantly on the Internet on his phone.

On the periphery sits Wanetta 'Great Nana' Thrombey (K. Callan), Harlan's 100+year old mother who sits silently observing, taking it all in, and Donna Thrombey (Riki Lindhome) - Harlan's daughter-in-law and Walt's wife.

Finally, there is Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas) - Harlan's private nurse and caretaker who was the closest to him, more so than any other member of his family. She is living with her mother and are migrants from a South American country. Marta is very well regarded by the other family members who all see her as part of the Thrombey family for her deep heartfelt care and compassion shown everyday day towards Harlan. Blanc has come to learn that Marta's good conscience means she cannot lie without vomiting, and so trusting that she will tell the truth, Blanc asks her to accompany him in his investigations. They search the property and its grounds for clues.

Over the next couple of days, the whole family gathers for the reading of the Will. They are all expecting to become rich beneficiaries of Harlan's estate which consisted of the grand house they are all presently sat in, a holiday home, and $60M in cash. When Alan Stevens (Frank Oz), Harlan's lawyer arrives to read the Will, the family are shocked to hear that he left everything to Marta. The whole family almost in unison turn on her immediately, all expect for Ransom, who make his exit laughing. The other Thrombeys realise that, under the slayer rule (preventing a person inheriting property from a person he or she murders) they will regain their inheritance if they can prove Marta killed Harlan, and insist Blanc continue the investigation, suspecting that she had ulterior motives.

And so Blanc does continue with his investigation, piecing together the puzzle that leads him down the path of toxicology reports, another attempted murder, a torched medical examiners office, a car chase, and foul play where everyone is a suspect. But Blancs investigative work is closing in on the prime suspect who is suspected of being Marta right up until just before the end, but the toxicology report proves otherwise, revealing another suspect amongst the family ranks who had the motive and the opportunity. To reveal anymore would be giving the game away. Needless to say, in the final analysis, the money grabbing Thrombey clan all get their comeuppance and vacate their former family home having inherited less than a brass razoo, whilst seeing one of their own carted off for murder and attempted murder.

'Knives Out' is an honest to goodness throwback to those cliched whodunit films of yesteryear but dusted off, shaped up, polished and brought beautifully up to date with a fine cast, a cracking storyline, top notch production values, social and cultural commentary, and enough malice, twists and turns to satisfy the appetite of any die hard genre fan. Daniel Craig shines with his deep southern drawl and his old school methods of deduction, Ana de Armas is compelling as the kind hearted good natured caring nurse thrust into the limelight for all the wrong reasons, Chris Evans fresh from his turn as Captain America hams it up as the devilish young buck and looks to be having a blast, and Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Don Johnson and Michael Shannon all add depth in their roles for the limited screen time they enjoy. This modern murder mystery tinged with black humour is smart, stylish, witty, very entertaining and very well made and I think you'll be hard pressed to not enjoy this cinematic treat. Let's hope this isn't the last we've seen of Benoit Blanc, and Rian Johnson's love letter to the whodunit genre.

'Knives Out' warrants four claps of the Odeon Online clapperboard, from a potential five.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-