One half of a murder-mystery writing duo murders his partner in mysterious style, and is confident he can outwit the modest smarts of an 'umble ickle detective.
Pretty good. Nice to watch an investigation that doesn't rely on scientific forensics, but I think they missed a sweet trick. Although the end is ironic, a round of double irony could have been served through the portrait of the fictional detective - don't want to spoil anything, but the discussion of the royalties is key to the passion in this crime, and switching the mastermind could have delivered a really well layered story that uncovered the past of the characters.
Direction is by Spielberg, so there are some nice unusual angles on faces - although the dark close up at the home-cooked champagne meal was poor. That Slanka character should have been weird rather then sweet, but the acting was good.
The stand out is the music by Mancini.
Overall - nicely done, but they left points on the field.
Pretty good. Nice to watch an investigation that doesn't rely on scientific forensics, but I think they missed a sweet trick. Although the end is ironic, a round of double irony could have been served through the portrait of the fictional detective - don't want to spoil anything, but the discussion of the royalties is key to the passion in this crime, and switching the mastermind could have delivered a really well layered story that uncovered the past of the characters.
Direction is by Spielberg, so there are some nice unusual angles on faces - although the dark close up at the home-cooked champagne meal was poor. That Slanka character should have been weird rather then sweet, but the acting was good.
The stand out is the music by Mancini.
Overall - nicely done, but they left points on the field.