Review of Sleuth (1972) by Necro — 17 Nov 2008

Such a high pedigree, and while there are certainly moments here, the 3rd act is a mish-mashed disaster; of course most viewers have probably already given up caring by this point.

Such an odd set doesn't help matters; in fact it almost becomes the star of the movie, a universe in which the players simply revolve around and interact within.

Branagh as director uses all the techno gadgets to reasonably good effect, shooting scenes as seen from within the security system; but the addition of all the surveilance cameras ends up begging the question - with the entire affair being taped (even with judicious editing by Caine), how can anyone possibly think that either charactor was going to get away with their deadly cat and mouse game? I guess that's what happens when you try to update a classic - you end up with unexplained plot points that weren't even in the original.

I also must add that while perhaps the gay angle was a shocker in the 70's (though I don't remember it as such), in today's jaded world it doesn't register more than a tired yawn; an ambiguity to be glossed over as just another twist in the game the two protagonists are playing.