On the right track

Nonika Singh

When was the last time you saw a whodunit that brought emotions to the table and tears to your eyes? Well, Murder On The Orient Express is that film which begins on a rather preachy note, "there is right and wrong and nothing in between" and finally takes you to many shades of the spectrum which fall in between. Based on Agatha Christie's famed novel by the same name, this latest celluloid version has much that takes to create a fine murder mystery. 

Only, add heart to it. The starting scene has the rather pompous Hercule Poriot, played to perfection by Kenneth Branagh also the director, solving a simple case of theft in Jersualem and making rather grandiose declarations on morality. His quirks; the penchant for perfection is on display too. On the train journey, however, he encounters a rather complex case. And the detective who believes in his invincibility is forced to admit like a child, "I don't know." For here is a crime with roots in a previous crime.

The victim, Johhny Depp in a brief but impressive cameo as the despicable Ratchett, seems to be no good man. The passengers on the train, the possible culprits fairly decent souls or as Poirot puts it rather, "fractured ones." So which one could be motivated to kill him? The dead man's employee Josh Gad as Mcqueen who swindled his accounts, Judi Dench the Princess … fingers point in many directions. In fact, like peels of onion, as Poriot unravels, he discovers each one is lying and could have a possible motive for murder. So whodunit… 

But the main beauty of the film is not who did it but how the mystery progresses to its logical conclusion. With near perfect cinematography, lavish sets, rich production values and an ensemble cast comprising actors such as Judi Dench, Penelope Cruz and Michelle Pfeiffer cast in 'to die for' part. Certainly certain characters, especially since Branagh, has such gifted actors as Judi Dench on board, could have been better fleshed out. But then that's the peril of a star-studded cast.

Nevertheless, the stylized nuances of actors command attention and the period look of 1954 is spot on. Besides, in this mystery dialogues laced with caustic humour matter more than action. The pace might be a bit languorous initially, but picks up and all of it comes together as a whole. If either the book or the previous movie is fresh on your minds, 'who did it' may not keep you on tenterhooks, but rest of it will certainly. Even though one remembered the suspense from the memory of reading the book long, long ago it never acted as a spoiler. Wheels of justice may move slowly but here these are oiled enough to never lose you for a moment. Go for it.