Splendid comic whodunit in which a shrewd Southern
detective (Daniel Craig) is hired by an anonymous client to investigate the
death of a famous and wealthy crime novelist (Christopher Plummer). Though the
police lieutenant (LaKeith Stanfield) and trooper (Noah Segan) assigned to the
case insist it was suicide, the sleuth seeks answers among the eccentric
members of the deceased's conflict-ridden family (Chris Evans, Jamie Lee
Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson and Toni Collette, among others). He also
enlists the help of the late author's caring and sensible Latina nurse (Ana de
Armas). Writer-director Rian Johnson's richly entertaining ensemble homage to
Agatha Christie has clever twist and turns, abundant humor and sly social
commentary. Though strictly for grown-ups, it's a brainy and satisfying movie.
Watch out for: Brief gory
violence, a morally complex situation, drug use, sexual references, about a
dozen profanities, a few milder oaths, a couple of rough terms, frequent crude
and crass language, an obscene gesture.
Rated: A-III, adults; MPAA:
PG-13
© Arlington Catholic Herald 2019