I am neither a fan or a hater of the new Marple series. There have been some surprisingly good ones as well as some duds. Towards Zero is one of the better/middling and more watchable entries, while not as good as Murder is Announced, Moving Finger, Blue Geranium, Pocket Full of Rye and Murder Crack'd from Side to Side(if we are including the Julia McKenzie entries too), it is much better than Ordeal by Innocence, Nemesis, Secret of Chimeys, Sittaford Mystery and At Bertram's Hotel. In fact, the latter two are the only ones I found unwatchable, not only were they poor adaptations but even on their own terms I just couldn't get into them.
Enough of that. About Towards Zero, it is not without its hindrances. The pace is sometimes a little dull and pedestrian, not as tedious as Sittaford Mystery, but there are some scenes towards the first half that begged for a steroid shot and then the build up to the final solution felt rushed. Also while the direction has its moments, there are times when it is mediocre as well and in the scenes where there is not as much happening some of dialogue is on the weak side.
However, Towards Zero does look great. The settings are picturesque and the cinematography is fluid too, while I also loved the atmospheric lighting shades. The music is also a plus, it is not overbearing or obtrusive as it can be, instead it enhances the atmosphere. While there are some changes, this is not a Marple story and Superintendent Wheeler is omitted, the plot is relatively easy to follow and quite solid up until the conclusion, which doesn't disappoint. Also unlike an adaptation like say At Bertram's Hotel, while as I've said there are changes, it is not a complete rewrite, and there are parts that have the Agatha Christie spirit. The acting is also good, Geraldine McEwan is not as fussy or too light-hearted as she can be and she works very well in one of her better performances of the series. Also excellent are Greg Wise who is dashing without being bland and the always dependable Eileen Atkins who is delightful. Tom Baker overdoes it a tad, but I too enjoyed him.
Overall, a solid adaptation and one of the better/middling entries. 7/10 Bethany Cox
Enough of that. About Towards Zero, it is not without its hindrances. The pace is sometimes a little dull and pedestrian, not as tedious as Sittaford Mystery, but there are some scenes towards the first half that begged for a steroid shot and then the build up to the final solution felt rushed. Also while the direction has its moments, there are times when it is mediocre as well and in the scenes where there is not as much happening some of dialogue is on the weak side.
However, Towards Zero does look great. The settings are picturesque and the cinematography is fluid too, while I also loved the atmospheric lighting shades. The music is also a plus, it is not overbearing or obtrusive as it can be, instead it enhances the atmosphere. While there are some changes, this is not a Marple story and Superintendent Wheeler is omitted, the plot is relatively easy to follow and quite solid up until the conclusion, which doesn't disappoint. Also unlike an adaptation like say At Bertram's Hotel, while as I've said there are changes, it is not a complete rewrite, and there are parts that have the Agatha Christie spirit. The acting is also good, Geraldine McEwan is not as fussy or too light-hearted as she can be and she works very well in one of her better performances of the series. Also excellent are Greg Wise who is dashing without being bland and the always dependable Eileen Atkins who is delightful. Tom Baker overdoes it a tad, but I too enjoyed him.
Overall, a solid adaptation and one of the better/middling entries. 7/10 Bethany Cox