Jason KingSleuth ($6.50)
July 13th 2008 23:12
Category: No Category
Sleuth ($6.50)
In 1972, Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine starred in the screen adaptation of SLEUTH, based on Anthony Shaffer's Tony Award-winning play and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Olivier played Andrew Wyke, a droll old writer whose wife is having an affair with the young, ambitious Milo Tindle, played by Caine. Thirty-five years later, Caine is starring as Wyke in an updated version of SLEUTH, completely rewritten by Nobel Prizewinner Harold Pinter and directed by multiple Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh. Jude Law, who played the Michael Caine role in the 2004 remake of ALFIE, now takes over as Tindle, a hairdresser-actor who has shown up at Wyke's estate to demand that Wyke divorce his wife so Tindle can marry her. But the extremely successful and wealthy Wyke is not about to give up his wife without a very determined and well-calculated battle of wits. Wyke lives by himself in a home that features dozens of electronic gadgets and odd contraptions, forcing Tindle to always be on the lookout for something strange to happen. The cat-and-mouse game continues as Tindle and Wyke play mind games with each other in a thrilling contest of one-upsmanship that soon involves a gun. Caine is marvelous as Wyke, strutting through his home with the absolute confidence that he will get the best of Tindle, but Law, who is also one of the film's producers, holds up his end of the drama, giving as good as he gets. Branagh keeps a steady hand as director, not allowing the camera to get in the way of the two dueling characters, but Tim Harvey's unusual production design nearly steals the show.
The trailer for this film looked brilliant and the colors and art direction were mesmerizing. But the film did not get a theatrical release in Australia or if it did it played quicker than teenage ejaculation. The film is a great acting showcase for the two leads, Caine from the original film (1972) played Tindle back then and Wyke in this one. Law plays a different kind of role and it was great to see him being an asshole and I think this is the hottest he has ever looked on film. What a bod, matched with that English accent and talent as an actor. I may have a crush here!! But that's about it. The best character from the film is the house - it's an amazing post modern minimalist beauty but it's in the wrong place, NO-ONE would have a house like this in the country, this is an inner city house, not something that blocks out the natural surrounds of the beauty of nature. It was ill fitting for it's surrounds.
The 1972 original was over an hour longer and was nominated for 4 Oscars, this version is way too confusing for the general public and lacks explanation of what is actually going on. For two men fighting through a battle of skits and skirmishes of wit and intelligence this film oozes gay chemistry. This I found nearly as misplaced as the house. Caine at times comes off as a desperate sugar daddy and Law more than a few times presents the perfect house boy.
This films does make me want to see the original and it would be amazing to see this as a stage production starring Caine and Law. This would have been extremely cheap to make. Two actors and one set. I think Brannagh needed to bring this film to the people not his arty Shakespearean friends. The general public will loathe it or be uncomfortable with the sexuality or confused as to the plot. The film appreciators I think would find it an insult to the original and while they may appreciate the brilliant acting I think a film needs more than brilliant acting.
Trivia: 1) This is the second film of Michael Caine's to be remade with Jude Law in the starring role. Previously, Law appeared in Alfie (2004). 2) The film was shot entirely in sequence. 3) The original film had an entire cast of two. This remake has one extra character, playwright Harold Pinter does a cameo as a man seen on a television. 4) The remote used by Andrew Wyke is actually an Apple Universal remote used to control their Computers/iPod Docks. 5) Sleuth opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theater on 12 November 1970, originally starred Anthony Quayle as Andrew and Keith Baxter as Milo and ran for 1222 performances.
I would be interested to hear what other people think of this one. Out now on DVD. Worth $6.50
In 1972, Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine starred in the screen adaptation of SLEUTH, based on Anthony Shaffer's Tony Award-winning play and directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Olivier played Andrew Wyke, a droll old writer whose wife is having an affair with the young, ambitious Milo Tindle, played by Caine. Thirty-five years later, Caine is starring as Wyke in an updated version of SLEUTH, completely rewritten by Nobel Prizewinner Harold Pinter and directed by multiple Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh. Jude Law, who played the Michael Caine role in the 2004 remake of ALFIE, now takes over as Tindle, a hairdresser-actor who has shown up at Wyke's estate to demand that Wyke divorce his wife so Tindle can marry her. But the extremely successful and wealthy Wyke is not about to give up his wife without a very determined and well-calculated battle of wits. Wyke lives by himself in a home that features dozens of electronic gadgets and odd contraptions, forcing Tindle to always be on the lookout for something strange to happen. The cat-and-mouse game continues as Tindle and Wyke play mind games with each other in a thrilling contest of one-upsmanship that soon involves a gun. Caine is marvelous as Wyke, strutting through his home with the absolute confidence that he will get the best of Tindle, but Law, who is also one of the film's producers, holds up his end of the drama, giving as good as he gets. Branagh keeps a steady hand as director, not allowing the camera to get in the way of the two dueling characters, but Tim Harvey's unusual production design nearly steals the show.
The trailer for this film looked brilliant and the colors and art direction were mesmerizing. But the film did not get a theatrical release in Australia or if it did it played quicker than teenage ejaculation. The film is a great acting showcase for the two leads, Caine from the original film (1972) played Tindle back then and Wyke in this one. Law plays a different kind of role and it was great to see him being an asshole and I think this is the hottest he has ever looked on film. What a bod, matched with that English accent and talent as an actor. I may have a crush here!! But that's about it. The best character from the film is the house - it's an amazing post modern minimalist beauty but it's in the wrong place, NO-ONE would have a house like this in the country, this is an inner city house, not something that blocks out the natural surrounds of the beauty of nature. It was ill fitting for it's surrounds.
The 1972 original was over an hour longer and was nominated for 4 Oscars, this version is way too confusing for the general public and lacks explanation of what is actually going on. For two men fighting through a battle of skits and skirmishes of wit and intelligence this film oozes gay chemistry. This I found nearly as misplaced as the house. Caine at times comes off as a desperate sugar daddy and Law more than a few times presents the perfect house boy.
This films does make me want to see the original and it would be amazing to see this as a stage production starring Caine and Law. This would have been extremely cheap to make. Two actors and one set. I think Brannagh needed to bring this film to the people not his arty Shakespearean friends. The general public will loathe it or be uncomfortable with the sexuality or confused as to the plot. The film appreciators I think would find it an insult to the original and while they may appreciate the brilliant acting I think a film needs more than brilliant acting.
Trivia: 1) This is the second film of Michael Caine's to be remade with Jude Law in the starring role. Previously, Law appeared in Alfie (2004). 2) The film was shot entirely in sequence. 3) The original film had an entire cast of two. This remake has one extra character, playwright Harold Pinter does a cameo as a man seen on a television. 4) The remote used by Andrew Wyke is actually an Apple Universal remote used to control their Computers/iPod Docks. 5) Sleuth opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theater on 12 November 1970, originally starred Anthony Quayle as Andrew and Keith Baxter as Milo and ran for 1222 performances.
I would be interested to hear what other people think of this one. Out now on DVD. Worth $6.50
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Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
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Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i wonder why it went straight to DVD?
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
And I bet you like it too!!
Did u get to watch Tropa? Started on the book?
What's news with the Morgan?
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I love the original too much, haven't had the courage to view this one.
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
Comment by Morgan Bell
Science News
Deep Pencil
Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
i have looked at the book, and it looks really good, but i havent looked in it
i think i am doing something wrong when attempting to watch Tropa, i think i need to download a program or something but i havent gotten around to it yet
HOWEVER
i wanted to ask you about your beautiful photography, what kind of a camera do you use?