Sleuth (2007)

Average rating

(50%)

Starring:	Jude Law \| Michael Caine
Director:	Kenneth Branagh
Studio:	PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT
Run time:	86 mins
Collections:	New releases
Genres:	Thriller
Languages:	English
Released:	April 28, 2008

This savvy remake promises just as many twists and pitch-perfect performances as the 1972 film. Since the original SLEUTH still shocks, some might question director Kenneth Branagh's desire to remake the classic, but Michael Caine doesn't reprise his role from the first film. Instead, he stars as the betrayed husband (first played by Lawrence Olivier), while Jude Law plays Caine's original role of the rogue who stole his wife away.

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Highest rated reviews

31 out of 31 people found the following review helpful:

*** May contain spoilers ***

Rated 0.0 stars
Totally and utterly awful

BobbyShaftoe from , 17th February, 2009

It's funny that this was written by Harold Pinter and directed by Ken Branagh, because it did seem like a play to me. A very bad one. I had the same thought as another reviewer, that this film came across as a drama school exercise, or a posh prat's party game. Both actors don't so much speak their lines as declaim them in each other's general direction, as if they were trying to act in a language other than English. Jude Law (who appears to have just escaped from a photoshoot for the River Island catalogue) is even worse than he usually is, but Michael Caine deserves better. The 'police detective' subterfuge is so blindingly, embarassingly, blatantly, obvious that I was chewing the remote control in frustration, waiting for them to put me out of my misery with the 'reveal'. And what's with all the drinking? Both characters are on their fourth or fifth before the movie's even 10 minutes in. Oh, and both characters are also complete morons. Probably because they're booze hounds. Appalling.

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15 out of 18 people found the following review helpful:

Rated 5.0 stars
Phenomenal

mistyhaze from , 2nd May, 2008

I disagree wholeheartedly with the other reviews. Although short, the film literally had me captivated from the first scene. Both Caine and Law put forward amazing performances, but I have to say that the way Law portrayed the character(s) was clever beyond belief. His conduct of phrases and vocabulary is out of this world, as previously seen in Closer. Anyone who likes a slightly out of the mainstream, arty type of film, but intelligent and witty at the same time will be in for a treat. Dont bother if you want the bulk standard run of the mill, blockbuster type of film.

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Most recent reviews

Rated 4.0 stars
An Acquired Taste

Francisedward from , 4th June, 2010

I can understand why many may be disappointed by this film: it is not suited to the mainstream film format. It does not have copious destinations or a cast of eclectic characters, nor does it woo the viewer with grand special affects or a fast paced plot. No, this film is far more akin to a play. Luckily for me, I love a good play. The film follows what is essentially a drawn out conversation between two men: one a successful, older crime novelist, the other a younger, out-of-work actor – the latter having seduced the former’s wife – and a plot involving the robbery of £ 1,000,000 worth of jewels, or so we’re led to initially believe. In truth, it follows a game: a game between two very intelligent and rather disturbed men. Despite not following the accepted rules of mainstream film, the director takes advantage of the medium to provide the viewer with exquisite cinematography and a colour scheme that provides the film with an artistic depth. Despite the move to film, it retains the aspects that create a good play: in-depth characters, a handful of twists in the plot and a psychological impact. I wouldn’t recommend this film if you crave something ordinary or want to avoid something intellectually challenging. On the other hand, I would recommend it to those interested in cinematography and film, a lover of plays and especially to those interested in psychology, psychopathy in particular.

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