A Story Well Told

Rating: 10/10 (10 December 2017)

This is one of those "they don't make movies like this anymore" films that I'm glad did get made. It's a simple story that is easy to follow and it is a story first and foremost. It's not one of those films where the protagonist attempts to dazzle you with his intellectual brilliance, or where he challenges you to a duel of wits. No. It is a process of discovery and the detective, throughout the story, keeps his cards open, letting you know as much as he does. I loved Kenneth Branagh's style of acting. When I found out Johnny Depp was in the film, I automatically assumed he had the leading role, but he didn't. I haven't seen Kenneth Branagh in any other film prior to this and I'm very pleasantly surprised. He managed to completely win me over. The character of Hercule Poirot is all about charm and elegance, and this actor managed to pull it off. In fact, he was the most believable of all the fictional characters on the train.
I loved the atmosphere. Loved the choice of angles - to shoot lengthy scenes from the outside of the train, or to go full overhead like in a computer game. Everything about the movie I loved. Even though I've seen and heard the same story retold a dozen times I never get tired of it. This movie did it justice.
Bravo!