effective take on a familiar genre

Rating: Null/10 (6 January 2020)

On the evening of his eighty-fifth birthday, wealthy tycoon and patriarch Harlan Thrombey celebrates (in a manner of speaking) with his combative family members, but is found dead the following morning. With the questionable circumstances surrounding his death only compounded by the issue of his final will, the game's afoot as crackerjack private detective Benoit Blanc is brought in to investigate, but upon meeting the patriarch's diligent eldest daughter, smug grandson, mooching daughter-in-law, and dedicated nurse, it's difficult to discern who--if anyone--is guilty of foul play. Wisely never taking things too seriously, this is a vibrant, voluble take on the whodunit genre with a unique assortment of characters, clever twists and turns, and an ending that doesn't cheat the audience. Craig gives a colorful, finely tuned performance as the debonair southern sleuth who may know more than meets the eye, de Armas is right on target as the vulnerable caretaker, while Evans has loads of fun in a role far afield from Steve Rogers. ***