See How They Run (2022)

Fun - See How They Run review by AER

You can almost imagine this film retold as an Aardman Animation (Wallace & Gromit style) so madcap are its stylings and performances. It's a lot of fun, very light and quick of pace. It doesn't compete with Knives Out for prestige but it is streets ahead of Kenneth Branagh's ultra lame Death on the Nile.... The central whodunnit is almost a red herring in itself... Packed full of lively performances from everybody even down to bit part players... Fun but disposable. It could have been even funnier but I'd settle for quality light-entertainment like this instead.

Comedy Whodunnit - Entertaining As Far As It Goes - See How They Run review by GI

This is a likeable comedy whodunnit that is disposable and needed a few more laughs but it's amusing and fun. All a bit silly and slightly camp it will probably appeal more to British audiences who will recognise the links to the comedies of yesteryear. Set in London in the early 1950s it's all about the murder of an American film director who is planning a screen version of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap play but contractually can only proceed with it once the theatrical run is over (and we all know it's still running today!). His grisly murder takes place backstage during performance of the play and his body dumped on stage. Alcoholic and cynical Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell) along with his over enthusiastic rookie Constable Stalker (Sairose Ronan) are sent to investigate. There's some great comedy lines although they come much to infrequently and Rockwell and Ronan have a neat and funny charisma. The support cast is impressive although some of them needed more to do and funnier things to say including Reece Shearsmith, Ruth Wilson, David Oyelowo, Adrien Brody and Tim Key (who is hilarious as the self focused Police Commissioner). There are hints of Wes Anderson's style in the direction and style and overall this is an entertainment yet slightly underdone.

Madcap, OTT, Cartoon-character Farce, which may appeal to some - See How They Run review by PV

I enjoyed this - to a point. It rattles along at a rollicking pace with Adrian Brody's voiceover and split screens making it seem retro, like a 60s/70s madcap movie. I have never liked split screens - ever - though. No wonder the technique died out.

And I liked the fact it is based on real nuggets of truth (Agatha Christie DID state in the 1952 Mousetrap contract that a film could not be made until the end of the theatre run, which she assumed would be 8 months, 73 years later it is still going... hence no movie of it, this is the closest we can get!). Those who know the plot of the Mousetrap will enjoy the red herring here with the focus of suspicion on many but esp on the boozy detective. No spoilers, but those who want to can research what inspired the play.

What I found esp tiresome was the colourblind casting. This is 1953. There would not be a black british screenwriter then or a famous black archaeologist; at a push a fellow tenant neighbour might be black, Would an assistant to a big producer by a BAME woman? Remember, in 1939 there were just 6000 black people in britain of a population of 44 million and it was not much more in 1953. Just watch coronation footage, for goodness sake! Some like colourblind casting, I do not - it can work on stage BUT if you are making a movie that purports to have an authentic historical setting, colourblind casting is absurd. ANd the inconsistency is racist. if black actors can play 'white' characters then why not the equal and opposite, so maybe some 'white' Zulu warriors of Chinese emperors or Indian Maharajahs then? Do you see? It spoils it all!

But the irritation is more than that. Of course, like all modern movies, there must be the 'strong and independent' woman who is in charge, however unrealistic (watch LIFE ON MARS maybe, and that is set in 1970s!).

The acting is great however, the alcoholic police inspector and his female partner and everyone else.

And I did like the ending MOSTLY (no spoilers). It is a tad too madcap and farcical, black comedy. But a pleasant enough fantasy ride farce.

Maybe watch old classic Agatha Christie, movies and TV drama pre 2000 which is about when woke quotas ruined them; or Poirot on ITV3.

And watch BRIGHTON ROCK to see Richard Attenborough in his prime.

2.5 stars rounded down.