Murder on the Orient Express Movie Review
By Abhinay Pandey
Murder on the Orient Express is a 2017 adaption film of the novel of the same name by revered mystery author Agatha Christie.
The movie features Johnny Depp and Judi Dench along with many well-known stars. The movie features a classic murder mystery and the story follows a renowned Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, who is a master at his job. He is a man of art and culture and is plagued by OCD, seeking balance in his life.
The story starts with a case being solved by Mr. Poirot in the holy church of Jerusalem. This acts as his introduction to the audience and displays his skills of truth-finding. Soon after solving the case, he decides to take a break from his job, as per his routine. He is invited to travel on the Orient Express where the main plot of the story begins.
The multiple passengers of the special train are introduced to the audience, which includes the infamous American businessman Edward Ratchett played by Johnny Depp. Ratchett seems skeptical about his safety and looks uncomfortable all the while. He seeks help from the detective Mr. Poirot who refuses to work for him. It so happens that the train is derailed due to heavy snow, leaving them stranded in the middle of nowhere. The twist in the story is delivered when Mr. Poirot hears sounds from Ratchett’s compartment in the night only to find him dead. The Train manager requests Poirot to take up the case and possibly solve it while the help arrives to get the train on the track again, as it was about his reputation. Poirot refuses in the start but eventually agrees to take up the case.
The investigation is very tricky and Poirot struggles to get any lead. Evidence indicates that Mr. Ratchett was killed by one person who dealt several stabs, and a fellow passenger, Mrs. Hubbard claims that a man was in her compartment in the night. Poirot finds a burned note connecting Ratchett to the kidnapping of a little girl, Daisy Armstrong, who was kidnapped from her bedroom for ransom. Though the family paid the ransom, Daisy was killed. It is revealed that Ratchett was using a fake name and in reality was John Cassetti, Daisy’s kidnapper and killer. The shock of her death had caused the girl’s mother Sonia to suffer a fatal miscarriage. Her father, Colonel John Armstrong, who wrote to Poirot asking for his help, dies by suicide shortly after. The family’s nursemaid Susanne was wrongly suspected of complicity, leading to her arrest and subsequent suicide in police custody, only to be found innocent afterward.
The pointing fingers keep switching people as the case progresses. Eventually, Poirot can finally find the murderer which is the most unexpected thing and I am not going to reveal it here.
The film is undeniably beautiful, the costumes, sets, filming, etc all portray the people and environment of that era exquisitely.
The film has a playfulness to it, but mostly it seeks to weigh the performances and scenarios. It lays it on a bit thick in this regard, resulting in the film feeling a bit dull because it carries itself heavy. Individual parts are great, and the film does have plenty to look at, but as a whole, it sometimes leaves loose ends.
In all, the movie is a perfect watch for the lovers of detective fiction. If you are a fan of Agatha Christie you won’t be disappointed by this adaptation of her famous novel. It’s set in the early 19th century which makes it pleasant to watch. The actors did a great job in their roles. The movie might feel leaden at times but is a good watch for someone wanting classic detective work.