Post by Mona Fuller on Feb 15, 2021 12:00:52 GMT
Knives Out is a modern take on a who-dun-it cozy murder mystery that is enjoyable to watch.
Daniel Craig plays Benoit Blanc, a private detective (featured in the New Yorker) who is anonymously hired to solve the suicide of famous mystery writer Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer). The cast includes an entire family of spoilt and snobby adults, a delightful grandma, a neo-nazi teenager, a nurse who vomits when she lies, two cute doggies, a beautiful knife statue, and Captain America in a cable knit sweater (it was a thing, apparently).
I am a fan of murder mysteries. Most of my exposure has been from British murder mysteries that I watch with my mom when I go home. This movie, I found to be a delight. It was not super serious, not bloody, had an interesting cast of characters, and, honestly, wasn't too mentally taxing for winding down in the evening. The victim(s?) was likable, and the family of Harlan Thrombey were played well and believably. There are a few little interactions that really set the tone and showcase who these characters are. It's also nice to see Chris Evans seem to enjoy playing a role.
I have heard this movie compared to the 1980's classic, Clue. Personally, I think the movies are too dissimilar to really warrant the comparison, or at least as close as they made it seem. Clue is an irreverent comedy, made in the same comedic vein as the Mel Brooks movies popular at the time. Knives Out is a more serious movie with comedic moments. In recent memory, these two movies are the only ones that come to mind for me that are cozy murder mysteries with humor, so the comparison is not far fetched. If you have not seen Clue, or Knives Out, I would definitely recommend watching Clue first, otherwise you'll be disappointed in it.
Overall, I really enjoyed the movie. I cannot wait to show it to my mom, but I don't think they have a DVD player set up, and I'm not going to her house until the threat of Covid is no more.
If you have an Amazon Prime account, grab some popcorn, and settle in for some entertainment while it's still free! (but maybe watch Clue, which is also free, first!)
The movie is also available for rent/purchase through youtube, google play, and, of course, from many online/in person retailers (I'd recommend ThriftBooks, just because I like them and their customer service is amazing...plus they are inexpensive).
(also, that is not a sponsored link - I do just like ThriftBooks)