Murder mysteries have been as much a staple of the big screen as they have on television. Midsomar Murders is so popular that after 23 series and 133 episodes already its now a cheaper alternative to Dignatas. Fitting into the cosy tea time murder slot is Invitation to a Murder with Mischa Barton as Miranda Green a florist and amateur sleuth who is invited along to an island mansion by wealth merchant Lewis Findley. And yet when Miranda and the six other strangers arrive he is not there.
From the very first scene there’s a nod to Agatha Christie which this is clearly modelled on. The isolated location, a cast of characters, everyone of which has a motive for murder and of course there’s the dead body suffering a gruesome (ish) death. It’s the opportunity for Miranda to flex her sleuthing skills and there are several Poirot like scenes as she dissects use of certain words, speech pattern and behaviour to reveal hidden truths and an early scene where she demonstrates her skills in her fellow invitees is very entertaining. But the film is not without its faults – some minor (a 1938 British police officer routinely armed) to the major (a denouement that includes technology far ahead of its time) and the fault lies squarely with the three writers. Although like Christie’s novels essential are left out leaving the audiences having to guess rather than work out whodunit. But perhaps they have learnt from the errors here as a sequel has already been shot and would appear to be a hoped for franchise for Barton who in fairness plays nicely in a role that distances herself from those which made her a name.
related feature : The best Agatha Christie all-star whodunit films….
related feature : A Haunting in Venice special screening ….look who turns up to introduce the film!
Here’s the Invitation to a Murder trailer…..
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