Review of The Oxford Murders (2008) by Eddy R — 03 Oct 2010
A talky movie that's directed with extreme close ups on the actors which is a good idea since the movie is all about ideas. The movie sizzles when John Hurt as a professor debates Elijah Wood as an American exchange student on whether life is mere fate and cannot be calculated like a math equation. It's rare to find a movie with engaging dialogue that feeds an intelligent audience.
The romance with Wood and Lenor Watling as a nurse is not believable since Wood comes across as a mere eager teen. Wood has the most beautiful blue eyes since Paul Newman but is better cast as a student than a romantic lead. Hurt steals the picture and is superb as the professor (Arthur Seldom). The actual revealing of the murder at the end comes off left field and might have been more effective with discernible clues. "The Oxford Muders" pays homage to the "Da Vinci Code" and Agatha Christie whodunit.
We don't really care about the mystery but are caught up in the exchange of ideas. Yes, I do believe in fate but don't subscribe to the complicated clues, in the movie, of triangles etc.
This review of The Oxford Murders (2008) was written by Eddy R on 03 Oct 2010.
The Oxford Murders has generally received mixed reviews.
Was this review helpful?
