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MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS – 2017

If you’ve read any of my blog posts or talked to me about cozy mysteries, you probably noticed that I LOVE Agatha Christie. Her books are what got me hooked on cozy mysteries and she is the queen of the cozy mystery. MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS is a classic, so when I saw there was a remake, I rushed to the theatre.

I have read every Agatha Christie book (including some of the ones she wrote as Mary Westmacott and seen all of the movies. From Albert Finney to Peter Ustinov and David Suchet, there have been some amazingly talented portrayals of the famous character, Hercule Poirot. David Suchet is probably the actor that I most associate with the Belgium detective. So, when Kenneth Branagh first walks on the screen in the 2017 remake of Murder on the Orient Express, I have to admit, I was a little put off. Branagh’s piercing blue eyes and physique, while attractive, lacked the egg-shaped head and portly mental image I held of the detective. However, I gave myself a shake and repeated my mantra, “it’s okay if it’s different” and allowed myself to sit back and enjoy the movie.

The basic storyline are the same as the book, although the filmmakers take liberties and deviate away from the plot in minor areas, for the most part, lovers of Agatha Christie will enjoy the movie. The cinematography is beautiful. I especially enjoyed when Poirot questioned suspects and flashed back to the events that were the catalyst for the murder. In addition to the cinematic beauty, the film is graced with an outstanding cast of actors: Kenneth Branagh, Penelope Cruz, Derek Jacobi, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, William Dafoe, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfiffer, and Judi Dench. This is an all-star cast and they don’t disappoint.

If you’re on the fence about seeing this film, get off the fence and run, don’t walk, to your nearest theatre. It is an amazing movie. You will, however, need to shake off any preconceived notions about Hercule Poirot and allow yourself to sit back and enjoy the film with an open mind. You won’t be disappointed.