Product: SLEUTH - (Russian Import - PAL DVD) (1972)
Rating: 5.0
A virtual feast in the artform known as acting
Simply put, Sleuth leaves me in awe after every viewing. To watch Olivier and Michael Caine, who reportedly was a little nervous squaring off agaist the master, is like watching an excerise in Acting 101.The plot is convoluted, in a good way, and uses dialogue to push the story. Very much like a play, the joy in watching the movie is the two actors squaring off, always trying to one up each other, both in character and most likely as themselves. Michael Caine might have been reported being nervous, but it doesn't show. This might be one of his greatest performances, and this was before his indy boom of the late nineties. This was Caine in his prime, and Olivier winding down his career in a performance only Marlon Brando could have beaten, a la "The Godfather" released the same year.Joseph L. Mankiewicz's certainly surprises as a director. The legendary director of "All About Eve" shows a bit of flash and art to go with the solid substance of his profession. The segues using the many prop pieces in the main setting is ingenious, and quite honestly, a little unsettling. Watching a horde of puppets seemingly moving on their own, banging and laughing, certainly adds a uniqueness to the picture that stands up with the two major performances.DVD-wise, it's not Criterion, but the sound is average and the picture is better than it's probably ever been on home video. Not that that has any influence over my decision to purchase this DVD. Nope, this is simply one of my favorite films, a gem that a lot of people don't even know exists. Well, if you like twist and turns, great actors, and a stylish presentation, then this movie is for you.Highly recommended.