Knives Out — A Review.

22nd February, 2020.

It has to be said: I think I spent too much of my youth watching The Young Ones.

The anarchic early eighties comedy series: rather than the Cliff Richards movie.

Which sort of explains my ‘Movies, movies, movies,’ opening.

I was aiming for Vyvian … 

Hmmm … 

It’s possibly fallen flat‡, hasn’t it … ?

~≈†≈~

At any rate … ?

I’ve a spare Saturday night … 

One that I fancied spending with a movie.

And, if you’ve spent time reading this morning’s Teaser*, you’ll realise both Debbi and Olga had suggested one Daniel Craig movie in particular.

Yep … 

Knives Out … 

~≈†≈~

Knives Out opens at an investigation, after housekeeper Fran (Edi Patterson) finds the body of her boss, crime writer, Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer): dead, in his office … apparently at his own hand.

The police — Detective Lieutenant Elliot and Trooper Wagner (Lakeith Stanfield and Noah Segan) — are accompanied by consulting detective, Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig), in the interviews with Harlan’s family.

• Eldest daughter, Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis)
• Her husband, Richard (Don Johnson)
• Youngest son, Walt (Michael Shannon)
• Joni (Toni Colette), widow of Harlan’s middle son.

All of whom?

Seem to have alibis … 

And all of whom seem to have motives for murdering the old man … 

And making a fortune from his will.

It’s only when the will is read, they find Harlan has left everything, not to the cat … but to his nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas†).

Who — not knowing about the old man’s will — has no reason to horribly slaughter him by mixing up the bag full of dangerous drugs she needs to keep the old man alive.

No reason at all … 

It’s only when Blanc realises Marta has a special skill — she throws up, whenever someone lies — that he needs an assistant … 

And possibly a bucket … 

~≈†≈~

Now … 

I’ve got to admit, I’ve not seen that many whodunits: bar the occasional Poirot movie, and Sherlock Holmes novel.

But seen enough to know I generally like the genre … even thought I’ve not seen many.

Why … ?

I really couldn’t say.

Me being me, though?

I’ve a distinct like for new toys: and, sometimes?   Older entries in a genre are … old … 

And possibly won’t necessarily grab me, first thing in the morning, slap me, than say ‘WATCH MEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!’

I saw the trailer for Knives Out?   Some time ago, it has to be said: but it looked an interesting enough take on the genre for me to keep in mind.

When, over the past couple of days, Olga and Debbi both mentioned the film … and, in doing so?

Threw me at a fantastically fun film … that is really very watchable.

I think I can pass on their recommendation to you.

Knives Out.
★★★☆

*        I do the Daily Teasers: a set of early(ish) morning brainteaser quizzers.   Feel free to take part … 

†        This is the first film I’ve seen Ms de Armas in.   What struck me, all evening?   Was who much she remind me of Eliza Dushku: Faith in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

‡        My flat is as messy as theirs.   Luckily?   I don’t have an atom bomb propped up in front of the fridge.