A strange duck of a movie.

Rating: 5/10 (17 February 2020)

Branagh drives a nearly flawless performance as actor but a less than interesting one as director. The script has some lovely poignant lines and a stellar cast is engaging, certainly when the murder occurs and the train stops. But I suspect the flaws of the film lie in the photography, which is neither engaging, thematic, or smart. I imagine a better director might have been able to create images either using technology to evoke a period feel, like Scorsese's Hugo, or use lighting and texture and shorting style, like Scorsese's The Aviator, to generate a classic overarching tone to the piece. But it does neither. The lighting is flat and placid and the set and costume design and colours are not settling or sumptuous. I wanted more theatre from Branaghbut his work here is a little average. There should be little clues in every scene as to the backstory of these characters and their connection or intention, little red herrings in the directing, the ways characters are introduced should say something. When a tracking shot or an overhead pan or a long take is used it should be for a purpose within the narrative and the mystery.
But the tired and damaged Poirot is a nice, humanising take, something I certainly didn't expect. And even though I knew the ending, it made for good viewing as it rumbled along.