I am no Agatha Christie fan and have never really been taken in by any of the Hercule Poirot tv series or what have you. I have read other reviews though about this being an extreme and revisionist adaptation without any trademark humor. I wouldn't know but yes I think this mini series is ponderous and tends towards the bleak in a tried and droning way. I came to this miniseries because of a recent interest in crime shows and because of John Malkovich who usually is allowed to be entertaining. However this Agatha Christie adaptation seems to be about the dangers of being entertaining and sometimes comments about how foreigners use entertainment to fit in. I get the feeling that much of the adaptation was turned to be most relevant to today's themes of violence consumption (one character has a murder-themed birthday party) and inner erosion vs outer quality. These themes were both scantily present and heavy handed and there was an overall lack of luster and conviction and enjoyment to this mini series. There was not even a great deal of detective work, and Poirot was not even the series' central character as he was billed to be. He was somewhat of a case study among other equal persons of interest.
I am giving this miniseries a 6/10 because despite what I wrote I did finish it and I did enjoy the actors and their acting. I liked seeing that actress who played the toilet ghost in Harry Potter and then that actor who played the sad dad in Broadchurch. Btw Broadchurch is also a crime drama and much more engaging-it is both darker because more genuine and more lighthearted.
The crime wasn't engaging because you are given all of the pieces before you want them although there is a satisfying twist by the end which does throw a greater light on the mystery you think you've solved. Three episodes is about perfect for the amount of investment I am willing to give most characters here although the dynamic between Poirot and the police captain played by Harry Potter's Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) is engaging and yes I agree with others that I would be along for that ride.
I did think the talent was wasted in this drama, I didn't see John Malkovich shine although I liked the authorian part Rupert Grint got to play because it is a type of role unusual to him.
Overall average but slightly satisfying. Often belabored but at other times, it connects. Probably mostly because of Malkovich and the way he can turn his lines, although his ever present back story was unfortunate filler. Like his character everything was a touch overexplained which is particularly damaging to a detective story where viewers are meant to collude with the director and the actors on subtle cues.
Slightly recommended, but I would personally go with Broadchurch. If you want something 1930s era crime there are probably many other movies and tv series to fit the bill too.
I am giving this miniseries a 6/10 because despite what I wrote I did finish it and I did enjoy the actors and their acting. I liked seeing that actress who played the toilet ghost in Harry Potter and then that actor who played the sad dad in Broadchurch. Btw Broadchurch is also a crime drama and much more engaging-it is both darker because more genuine and more lighthearted.
The crime wasn't engaging because you are given all of the pieces before you want them although there is a satisfying twist by the end which does throw a greater light on the mystery you think you've solved. Three episodes is about perfect for the amount of investment I am willing to give most characters here although the dynamic between Poirot and the police captain played by Harry Potter's Ron Weasley (Rupert Grint) is engaging and yes I agree with others that I would be along for that ride.
I did think the talent was wasted in this drama, I didn't see John Malkovich shine although I liked the authorian part Rupert Grint got to play because it is a type of role unusual to him.
Overall average but slightly satisfying. Often belabored but at other times, it connects. Probably mostly because of Malkovich and the way he can turn his lines, although his ever present back story was unfortunate filler. Like his character everything was a touch overexplained which is particularly damaging to a detective story where viewers are meant to collude with the director and the actors on subtle cues.
Slightly recommended, but I would personally go with Broadchurch. If you want something 1930s era crime there are probably many other movies and tv series to fit the bill too.