“Knives Out” Review by Stephanie Chapman
December 31, 2019 3:15 pm |
Written and directed by Rian Johnson this fresh-faced mystery is full of lighthearted humor. With a cast full of powerhouse actors, this story is brought to life in a way that will keep you curious about an outcome you have probably already predicted.
Harlan Thrombey (played by Christopher Plummer) is a very successful writer and owner of a publishing company. While he served as the patriarch for his family he also enabled them to live a life of privilege without ever learning the meaning of hard work. When he suddenly passes away under mysterious circumstances, it is up to his family and a team of investigators to answer the questions of “how”, “why” and “who” before time runs out.
This cast of veteran thespians pulls no punches when bringing these characters to life. “Linda” Drysdale (played by Jamie Lee Curtis) is Harlan’s oldest daughter. She is married to “Richard” (played by Don Johnson). Together they have raised the epitome of entitlement, a son named “Ransom” (played by Chris Evans). The cast is rounded out by the youngest son “Walt” (played by Michael Shannon), a daughter-in-law, “Joni” (played by Toni Collette), the team of investigators, led by “Benoit Blanc” (played by Daniel Craig) and a couple of grandkids who so neatly fit into the boxes of “feminist college student” and “alt-right recluse teenager” that I wondered if the writer is familiar with nuance.
Finally there is “Marta Cabrera” (played by Ana de Armas). Marta is a nurse who worked as Harlan’s full-time caregiver and is at the center of the mystery when this roller coaster begins.
This film is highly entertaining, despite its predictability. Audiences may be surprised at their ability to solve the mystery.
“Marta” steals the show and the portrayal of the character by Armas is a breath of fresh air to a movie that at times felt stuffy. Her interactions with the family were far more entertaining than the forced humor that sometimes comes with the inter-family conflicts the film portrays. Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson and Michael Shannon were underutilized. Their one-dimensional characters had the potential to be more nuanced which could have added more depth to the overall mystery. Unfortunately, Evan’s character “Ransom’s” highly dramatic scenes and arrogant attitude were overshadowed by what I can only describe as my inability to believe that Chris Evans could ever be an a**hole. The performance falls flat despite Evan’s best efforts.
If you are looking for an entertaining mystery that will leave you on the edge of your seat, then you might be disappointed. However, with lowered expectations audiences will be highly entertained by a talented cast who bring their “A” game as audiences wonder “how”, “why” and “who” right up until the credits roll. “Knives Out” is self aware, funny, somewhat predictable and absolutely ridiculous in the most charming way!
PCL Rating: Taste It
Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH 🍅
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Tags: Knives Out 2019, Knives Out Movie, Knives Out Rian Johnson, pop culture leftovers, Stephanie Chapman
Categorised in: Movie Reviews
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