Review by Jon Donnis
The Renowned detective Hercule Poirot is back, in what is the 3rd version of the Death on the Nile story by Agatha Christie. Kenneth Branagh once again takes on the role of the man who no one can quite pronounce his name.
The start of the film sees a young Poirot in World War 1 helping his unit attack the enemy, but a trip wire ends up being activated and a fellow solider gets blown up, and Poirot finds himself with a mutilated face. While being treated by his fiancé, Nurse Katherine (Susannah Fielding), she tells him that he can grow a moustache to hide his scar. Sadly, she dies in WW1, and we quickly jump to 1937.
Poirot finds himself watching a blues singer, Salome Otterbourne (Sophie Okonedo), he sees Jacqueline "Jackie" de Bellefort (Emma Mackey) dancing with Simon Doyle (Armie Hammer). Jackies childhood friend Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle Gal Gadot) enters the scene and is introduced to Simon, and now we have pretty much been introduced to the main cast.
Quick look at the official synopsis:
"Renowned detective Hercule Poirot is off on a relaxing retreat to Egypt, where he meets his friend Monsieur Bouc. He offers Poirot to join him and his mother at his friend's post-wedding celebration. Poirot arrives at the hotel and recognizes the newly married hosts: Linnet Ridgeway and Simon Doyle. Six weeks ago, he had seen Simon Doyle with his fiancé Jacqueline at a nightclub. Jacqueline had introduced her fiancé to her best friend: Linnet. Poirot scoffs at how love took its turn in a short period. Bouc introduces Poirot to all the passengers on the cruise:"
And as is always the case we then get a murder, and it is up to Poirot to figure out who committed the crime, and make sure the murderer faces justice.
As with all of the Poirot films and TV episodes, you know what to expect, they are always well acted and well written, and I have found that someone's enjoyment of a film comes down to if you like the actor who plays Poirot or not.
There have been a number of actors to take on the part, but I think we can all agree that David Suchet is the best, and probably the one that most people associate with the role. Peter Ustinov also played the role well. The other actors I don't care to even mention, so that leaves us with Kenneth Branagh, a super talented actor. HOWEVER, I just hate him as Poirot. His accent is terrible and makes it hard to understand him. He just does not fit the rule.
Death on the Nile is a big budget film, with an all-star cast, loads of big names, a beautiful setting, a famous story. All the ingredients are there for this to be a great film. But Branagh just isn't Poirot.
The Good
Wonderful talented cast, well made film, everything is there for an enjoyable murder mystery film.
The Bad
I can't stand Kenneth Branagh as Poirot. Simple as that.
Overall
This is a good film, but I have this barrier of not enjoying Kenneth Branagh as Poirot. If you like him as Poirot, then you will enjoy the film. I don't, and I didn't
I score Death on the Nile a fair 7/10 (I give this a decent score, because I accept my enjoyment of the film is based on my own opinion on who plays the role of Poirot, and not necessarily everything else in the film)
Out on April 13th at https://amzn.to/3LPRvTr
