Review of Murder on the Orient Express (1974) by Elli R — 16 Nov 2007

I can't express in words as to how much fun it is to watch this movie. It's done in the vein of those opulent, overdone films of the 1930s (think Grand Hotel) and much of the film's exposition is devoted to how gorgeous everything and everyone looks.

Then you get to know the characters themselves, every one of whom is fascinating in their respective quirks--especially Albert Finney's interpretation of Hercule Poirot. When the murder on the train finally happens, it adds to the fun of things instead bogging down the atmosphere with morbid airs.

The murder is a means to spend more time with beautiful, strange people--and I love every minute of it. The cast is A-rate, namely Bacall, Bergman (who won a supporting actress Oscar for this film) and Anthony Perkins.

The man just can't quite escape the roles where he plays a mother-obsessed man child, but dammit, he's always entertaining.