This adaptation of 'Murder is Easy' bears very little resemblance to the original Christie novel. Most of the character names stay the same and so (surprisingly) does the identity of the murderer although the motive is completely different; a couple of the murder methods are also retained. I didn't hate it and this was largely down to some of the performances. Also, whilst I hate the changing of Christie's plots just for the sake of it, I must admit that the original motive for the many murders involved in the novel was actually just as unlikely and convoluted as in this new version! The problem is of course that in the book the murderer is mad and that goes some way to explaining his/her unlikely actions. In this version the murderer is not mad and therefore their actions seem less in keeping with the character as presented.
Julia McKenzie continues to impress as Miss Marple, shrewd and likable and sympathetic although I did feel that her complete integration into village life in Wychwood after only a few hours was very unbelievable. Of the others I liked Shirley Henderson as a younger Miss Waynflete, Jemma Redgrave as a Mrs Humbleby racing towards a nervous breakdown and Anna Chancellor as a likable Mrs Horton. None of the others really made any great impact largely because they were given so little to do. There was the usual case of 'big stars for the sake of it' in the line up. There seemed little point in Tim Brooke-Taylor or Sylvia Syms being there for the tiny, tiny little amount of screen time they were given! I was completely unimpressed and unmoved by the hugely forgettable Benedict Cumberbatch and Margo Stilley in the important roles of Luke and Bridget.
As always it looked lovely although unlike some I rather miss the 'technicolour' brightness of the earlier McEwan adaptations. All in all it was OK - this was never one of my favourite Christie novels but it probably did not warrant as much 'tampering' as it received here.
Julia McKenzie continues to impress as Miss Marple, shrewd and likable and sympathetic although I did feel that her complete integration into village life in Wychwood after only a few hours was very unbelievable. Of the others I liked Shirley Henderson as a younger Miss Waynflete, Jemma Redgrave as a Mrs Humbleby racing towards a nervous breakdown and Anna Chancellor as a likable Mrs Horton. None of the others really made any great impact largely because they were given so little to do. There was the usual case of 'big stars for the sake of it' in the line up. There seemed little point in Tim Brooke-Taylor or Sylvia Syms being there for the tiny, tiny little amount of screen time they were given! I was completely unimpressed and unmoved by the hugely forgettable Benedict Cumberbatch and Margo Stilley in the important roles of Luke and Bridget.
As always it looked lovely although unlike some I rather miss the 'technicolour' brightness of the earlier McEwan adaptations. All in all it was OK - this was never one of my favourite Christie novels but it probably did not warrant as much 'tampering' as it received here.