KNIVES OUT (2019)

Written & Directed By: Rian Johnson 
Cinematography: Steve Yedlin 
Editor: Bob Duscay 


Cast: Daniel Craig, Ana De Armas, Don Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Lakeith Stanfield, Chris Evans, Noah Segan, Christopher Plummer, Toni Collette, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Frank Oz, Riki Lindhome, Edi Patterson, M. Emmet Walsh 

When renowned crime novelist Harlan Thrombey is found dead at his estate just after his 85th birthday, the inquisitive and debonair Detective Benoit Blanc is mysteriously enlisted to investigate. From Harlan's dysfunctional family to his devoted staff, Blanc sifts through a web of red herrings and self-serving lies to uncover the truth behind Harlan's untimely death.


The film keeps it exciting by giving you answers but leaving room for new mysteries, adventures and wondering where it will go. As At first small little political jabs until around the ending where it comes out full frontal.

More about character building even though at first Daniel Craig sounds a little ridiculous like most mystery novels not only introducing characters but having one in the middle who stands above all else for a kind of ridiculous character quirk look or sound that encompasses themmand makes others underestimate them thoguhnpoves to be a disarming point to distract while the great mind is working.

The film Is fun and ridiculous but allows to be a full fledged mystery where at first we believe the mystery will be the centerpiece then another thread comes into play and then later there is still another mystery to be solved

You can tell where the influences of the movie come from as the film does move quick and at times seems more grand an operatic it feels full on world building even though there are only a Few locations.

All the characters have their defining points one of the few disappointing aspects is that you wish some characters had more screen time or more to do with actors like Michael Shannon bit it seems here the thought might be too much might make it go over the top.

Though the film does provide a recognizable and all star cast. Who get to play against type and have fun with their roles. Who only add to the suspect list. They also Bring us in as the audience will line up to see this line up. Which is another throwback to the mystery movies of yesteryear usually based in Agatha Christie novels. The fun and not so much arrogance makes this film instantly more enjoyable then the recent MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS which seemed more hell bent on shocking and proving itself smarter then the audience even though it was a remake. The film also subverts expectations which makes it continuously entertaining. Especially by dismantling classic whodunits while also being a love letter to them. While being one itself, kind of like when SCREAM came out and was a kind of the same for horror except not as much of a respected cast.

What also keeps us the audience guessing is that for all the more recognizable faces the true lead is Ana De Arms who has been in quite a few films but is truly a Novice as a lead on a blockbuster film. As going with that no ice approach she usually appears in other films as the sexy girl or girlfriend. Here she downplays to a nice simple character who is more regular and is thrown into this big investigation and conspiracy. She goes above and beyond to create an indelible character amongst all these other bigger names.

She also is part of the sly political commentary that has to do with immigration and also the inherent class system.

What makes the movie work so well is that while it entertains it invites the audience to think while watching it. Which seems to be a rarity in more mainstream movies these days it feels refreshing. As well as it seems to let the audience in on the jokes and experience.

Grade: B+