Director: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Johnny Depp and Michelle Pfeiffer
‘A Captivating Classic’
Not many actors in Hollywood have charisma of Kenneth Branagh. Since his rise to stardom in the 1980’s, Branagh has become an icon in the film industry. Whether it’s Shakespearean figures, magical school teachers or detectives solving murders, Branagh has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Branagh’s finest strength as an actor has always been his love for Shakespeare. He’s one of those rare actors that has always had an aptitude for adapting the Bard’s celebrated plays on the big-screen. An actor with strong commitment towards his craft, Branagh has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Through his ability to deliver Shakespeare monologues which are engaging, Branagh has created a legacy which is lasting. The British actor has become a beloved icon in Hollywood whose memorable films audiences cherish. Throughout a long-lasting career, the actor has created several unforgettable films which are definitely without any single doubts worth seeing.
I’m a huge fan of Branagh and admire all the movies he has made in his career. However, “Murder on the Orient Express” is definitely my favourite. Since its release in 1989, Branagh’s celebrated movie has stood test of time as a literary classic. With the most visually stunning film of his career, Branagh did an exceptional job of adapting Agatha Christie’s most beloved book. Packed with breathtaking production design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest adaptations ever made. At the centre of it all is an exceptional performance by Kenneth Branagh, portraying the larger than life personality of a detective which solves murder. Ultimately, what makes “Murder on the Orient Express” a masterpiece is strong appeal. Unlike most Agatha Christie adaptations, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. A spectacular adaptation of a beloved murder mystery book, there are several strong reasons why “Murder on the Orient Express” is a commemorated movie that is definitely without a doubt worth seeing.
Based on Agatha Christie’s celebrated book, “Murder on the Orient Express” follows a bold detective seeking to investigate murder on a train which causes stress. Kenneth Branagh portrays Hercule Poirot, a powerful detective investigating a murder on a train. Poirot is an incredibly intelligent sleuth that has a gift for solving murders. However, Poirot’s abilities to resolve murder is tested when he investigates trains facing disaster. Poirot seeks to inspect l murder of famous tycoon Ratchett (Johnny Depp) his train. Faced with a dilemma, Poirot questions whether it’s truly possible to resolve a murder causing trauma. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Poirot questions if he would ever be able to resolve catastrophic murders causing disaster. Trapped on a train that’s doomed to face disaster, Poirot wonders whether he would ever be able to successfully resolve murder.
Kenneth Branagh is a newcomer to Agatha Christie’s stories. Before he directed “Murder on the Orient Express”, Branagh hasn’t ever made an Agatha Christie adaptation in his career before. A beloved filmmaker, Branagh achieved appreciation for his adaptations of Shakespeare! literature. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to adapt a world-famous Agatha Christie book but he succeeded immensely. Through gorgeous cinematography, Branagh captures a detective seeking to solve murder on a train which is doomed to face tragedies. Visually, the movie is a stunning feast for the eyes as precious as the Orient trains where grim murders materialize. Branagh effectively employs montages to capture a detective on a train solving a murder mystery. For instance, montages elevate the orient express travelling scene. During this unforgettable scene, the passengers huddle together in a train before murders. Through clever montages, Branagh captures the hardships that passengers on a doomed train go through. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Simon Curtis’ “My Week With Marilyn” suggested, montages elevate period pieces about famous actresses. Nevertheless, it worked immensely in this film. Through gorgeous visuals, Branagh captures hardships that passengers on doomed trains are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Murder on the Orient Express” that deserves appreciation is the production design. From a technical point of view, the movie is exceptionally well made. Branagh effectively uses the confined location of a train to build tension. Throughout the film, the train plays an essential role in the movie by serving as the backdrop of murder. Branagh effectively uses the set-design of the train to capture murders causing lives of individuals to decline. For instance, set design of the train enhances the snow accident scene. During this memorable scene, the passengers on the train debate what actions they should take after the snow accident. One appreciates the confined location of the train which builds up unbearable tension. Confined locations are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window” demonstrated, confined locations elevate classic Hitchcock movies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Using clever production-design, Branagh captures train passengers facing a decline. Through commemorated production, Branagh captures the passengers on a train facing murder investigations.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Murder on the Orient Express” is a movie that is worth seeing. The film is beautifully written, and effectively uses plot twists to capture the lives of passengers on trains that experience obstacles. Branagh’s screenwriting strength is his abilities to capture obstacles passengers on trains race through plot twists. Throughout the movie, Branagh uses ingenious plot twists to capture the riveting hardships passengers on grains are facing. For instance, plot twists elevate the final truth scene. During this tense scene, Poirot discovers the identities of the killers behind the train murder. One admires plot twists honouring the lives of detectives investigating murders. Plot twists are tricky techniques to use effectively in movies. As Martin Scorsese’s “Shutter Island” suggested, plot twists elevate mysterious literature that deserves appreciation. Christopher Nolan’ “Tenet” claimed plot twists elevate comic-book blockbusters. Nevertheless, it worked extremely in his movies. Through a powerful screenplay, Branagh honoured a legendary book today.
One admired amazing performances.
Kenneth Branagh delivers one of his finest career players. Branagh achieved fame for playing classic Shakespearean adaptations. With “Murder on the Orient Express, however, the actor took on his most literary role. It isn’t easy to embody a detective solving crimes causing tragedy, but the actor succeeded tremendously. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense; charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. With spellbinding expressions, Branagh captures bravery, loneliness and concentration of a detective seeking to resolve a mystery. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the most talented actors working today.
While the movie is mainly a stinking showcase for Branagh, the supporting cast is equally excellent. Johnny Depp is dazzling, bringing an air of mystery to the movie as a tycoon which becomes victim of murders causing tragedies. Daisy Ridley is remarkable, bringing humanity to a woman that becomes suspect of a tragic murder which cause tragedy. Lastly, Michelle Pfeiffer merits appreciation. As a victim of a tragic murder, she brings palpable tension to the movie.
Finally, “Murder on the Orient Express” would every appreciation of everyone for capturing trains experiencing stress. Unlike most Agatha Christie adaptations, it tackles commemorated themes which everyone relate to. It tackles meaningful themes such as identity, murder and social class which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be devoted fans of Agatha Christie’s commemorated book to appreciate it. It delivers a profound message about social class which remains relevant today. Therefore, “Murder on the Orient Express” is one of those rare one-of-a-kind murdery mystery adaptations that everyone will adore.
Fans of Kenneth Branagh would appreciate “Murder on the Orient Express” and so will movie-goers seeking bold entertainment. An awe-inspiring adaptation of a beloved literary classic; it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 90 years following the publication of a groundbreaking book about dedicated detectives wit crime-solving abilities seeking to resolve murders on doomed trains facing disasters that are frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy gaining a tremendous fan following for his abilities to portray characters which are compelling whose engaging movies are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 