Although Clarissa has got a light-hearted side, she makes for an exemplary wife. This is good news for her husband, who had to divorce his first wife because she neglected their child, used drugs and had a lover. Clarissa is also a fine stepmother, determined to give her stepdaughter the stability and affection she missed so sorely. After discovering the corpse of a murdered man, Clarissa moves heaven and earth in order to protect her family...
"Spider's web", which is based on a play by Agatha Christie, clings closely to its theatrical roots. It may cling to its roots a little too closely, since some of the information could have been provided by other, more visual means : why mention that the female gardener is feuding with the other servants, if you could show them quarrelling next to a greenhouse ? Surely it can't be a technical challenge to shoot a few scenes in a garden, near a swimming pool or on a balcony ?
Still, "Spider's web" is both well-made and well-acted. It is also a fine example of Christie's ability to construct ingenious puzzle-like mysteries. While the work may not be breathtakingly suspenseful, it certainly challenges the intellect of the viewer in a pleasant way. The clueing is superb and the pieces of misdirection could stump professional magicians.
Interestingly, part of the plot reads like a satirical comment on the social concerns of the well-off hostess. You're part of the upper-middle-class, your husband works for the civil service, he wants to arrange an important but confidential business meeting in your house, the servants are away on their day off and an unwanted visitor shows up in order to create trouble : what do you DO ?
"Spider's web", which is based on a play by Agatha Christie, clings closely to its theatrical roots. It may cling to its roots a little too closely, since some of the information could have been provided by other, more visual means : why mention that the female gardener is feuding with the other servants, if you could show them quarrelling next to a greenhouse ? Surely it can't be a technical challenge to shoot a few scenes in a garden, near a swimming pool or on a balcony ?
Still, "Spider's web" is both well-made and well-acted. It is also a fine example of Christie's ability to construct ingenious puzzle-like mysteries. While the work may not be breathtakingly suspenseful, it certainly challenges the intellect of the viewer in a pleasant way. The clueing is superb and the pieces of misdirection could stump professional magicians.
Interestingly, part of the plot reads like a satirical comment on the social concerns of the well-off hostess. You're part of the upper-middle-class, your husband works for the civil service, he wants to arrange an important but confidential business meeting in your house, the servants are away on their day off and an unwanted visitor shows up in order to create trouble : what do you DO ?