MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (2017)

Genre: Mystery / Thriller
Running Length: 1:54
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Leslie Odom Jr., Josh Gad, Willem Dafoe, Penelope Cruz, Johnny Depp, Judi Dench
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Screenplay: Michael Green, based on the novel by Agatha Christie

Knowing nothing about MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS (which includes the book and the earlier movie/TV adaptation) is probably the best way to watch this updated version. Despite the dialogue heavy and at times slow pace, the final reveal and its implications were extremely satisfying.

Narrative wise, I felt like I was reading one of those good old fashioned murder mystery novels. There's just something very old school about this film's approach which I don't think Hollywood would ever churned out these days (probably, that's why they needed so many star power packed in one film just to get today's movie goers to watch this film).

Although the filmmakers employed interesting camera angles to tell the story and a sweeping melancholic soundtrack to accompany it, what really made this a compelling watch are the characters. It's like watching a well acted stage play. All the performances here are top notch but the two that really stood up was Branagh as our lead detective and Michelle Pfeiffer. Oh, there are so very good here!

What I learned from this movie:
"Humans are irrational and unpredictable creatures. So who am I to judge another when I too...walk imperfectly."

RATING: 8/10

 

VICTORIA AND ABDUL (2017)

Genre: Drama / Comedy
Running Length: 1:52
Cast: Judi Dench, Ali Fazal, Olivia Williams, Michael Gambon, Eddie Izzard, Tim Pigott-Smith, Adeel Akhtar, Paul Higgins
Director: Stephen Frears
Screenplay: Lee Hall, based on the book by Shrabani Basu, Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant 

VICTORIA & ABDUL is based on the true events of Queen Victoria (The Queen of England who reigned from 1837 to her death in 1901), who found comfort and companionship in her twilight years in a young and handsome Indian attendant, Abdul Karim. Yes, you read it right. Obviously, such a relationship would be considered controversial (even in today's standards, what more then).

Thus, the royal family had to remove all traces of this scandalous affair from royal history. It is only until recently, a good 100 years later, a journalist Shrabani Basu noticed a clue in the Queen’s summer home that led her to discover their relationship (which she incorporated into her book Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant - the basis for this movie). You can read more about it here, a story covered by Vanity Fair. 

However, one would think that with such a juicy material to work on, this film would be an interesting watch, but unfortunately, it failed to captivate. Perhaps it's the lack of in-depth material that prevented the narrative from going deeper.

It is interesting (and funny) in the beginning as the audience is introduced to how the two met. But halfway through the film, it started to drag for me. The elements of racism, behind-the-scenes of everyday life in the royal household and of course, the developing friendship of Victoia and Abdul, started to go in circles instead of in-depth.

Eventhough Abdul was painted as a man who's shrewd and naive at the same time, we were never really clear of his motives. I don't think it's entirely the fault of Ali Fazal's performance but more of the material that he was given to work on. Thankfully, Judi Dench's performance saved this movie. Despite being one the most powerful person at that era, we could feel the Queen's sadness and loneliness as she was surrounded by people who revered her and only cared for their own interests. So it wasn't surprising when she connected emotionally with a commoner who was respectful but yet unafraid of her. He looked at her as her, an imperfect human being.

All of us know that forging an emotional bond is one of the most important fundamental building blocks of a lasting relationship. But it's easier said than done. What I've learned from this movie is that having an emotional connection with anyone, regardless of age, colour and religion - is to be able to give the other person a friendly ear and having the courage to provide frank feedback. 

RATING: 7/10