Kate Franklin

I loved all the books and always felt they were a modern Ealing comedy. The characters deep and true to life. What you don't get in this film is all the Joyce diary entries that are so so funny. I think what was needed in this film were character actors not leading ladies or men. Think about Joan Hickson as Miss Marple. She had always been a bit player in films and she brought this unassuming quality to the role and a whole heap of experience backing up the stars. What I feel is needed would be B list actors who could have really got into character. Everything seems to be laid on with a trowel and tries too hard. For example Stevens dementia. It is not really mentioned in the book, it's left up to the reader to work out what is wrong with him. I work with older people and that is the way they are. They don't blurt out their business.i still enjoyed it though. Just disappointed