Review of They Do It with Mirrors

This is apparently considered one of the weakest stories that Agatha Christie wrote for Miss Marple, but personally I like it and its clever misdirections - it's certainly better than, say, "Sleeping Murder" with its instantly spottable killer. It has been filmed twice before, in 1985 with Helen Hayes as Miss Marple (a version I remember being fun), and in 1991 with Joan Hickson (a version I remember being a bore, apart from a great closing sequence). This third attempt is, in my opinion, the best one. The "lights out" sequence is well-staged (and will fool anyone who doesn't know the story), and there is genuine emotion in many of the relationships. Julia McKenzie may lack the sparkle of Geraldine McEwan as Miss Marple, but she is more compassionate and less distant that Joan Hickson; you really feel that she and Carrie Louise are good lifelong friends. The cast is (as usual) perfectly chosen, especially Penelope Wilton as a strong, smart and idealistic Carrie Louise, Emma Malin as the spirited Gina, and Ian Ogilvy as the eccentric Johnny Restarick; kudos, too, to Alexei Sayle for his hilarious cameo as Dr. Maverick. Now let's hope that they won't film this story again - three adaptations are more than enough! *** out of 4.