Jamie Martin

The sets and setting are gorgeous. If you hate Agatha Christie books you may love this movie since it bears no resemblance to her writings. Branagh’s Hercule Poirot loses his temper, breaks down in tears, and is repeatedly foolish, short-sighted, and unsystematic. Oh, and don’t forget his foot chase and gun/cleaver fight. And as one final indication of how clueless Branagh is about Hercule Poirot, he shaves off his moustache. I can’t tell if Branagh has never read a single Poirot story or if this is intentional contempt. But maybe I’m being too hard on Branagh. After all, what does Agatha Christie know about Hercule Poirot?