Not gonna lie, this is going to be a tough one to review. The film is almost review-proof, it's so hard to truthfully and accurately talk about what the film is and what happens in it without spoiling a single thing. That said, here goes nothing.
In Knives Out, eccentric, rich mystery novelist Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) is found dead in his elaborate mansion the morning after his 85th birthday. Detective Lieutenant Elliot (Lakeith Stanfield) and trooper Wagner (Noah Segan) are more than content to label the death a suicide and move on, since that's exactly what it appears to be. However, when private eye Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, sporting a swanky southern accent) gets involved, it's not long before every member of Harlan's large family becomes a suspect in what Blanc suspects might actually be a homicide.
Knives Out wields a large, impressive, strong cast of colorful characters. Ana de Armas plays Marta Cabrera (Harlan's personal nurse and close friend, she also just happens to be an immigrant), Jamie Lee Curtis plays Linda Drysdale (Harlan's eldest daughter), Michael Shannon plays Walt Thrombey (Harlan's youngest son), Don Johnson plays Richard Drysdale (Harlan's son-in-law, married to Linda), Toni Collette plays Joni Thrombey (Harlan's dumb blonde daughter-in-law), Chris Evans plays Hugh "Ransome" Thrombey (Harlan's ne're do well grandson, eldest son to Linda and Richard ), Jaeden Martell plays Jacob Thrombley (Harlan's grandson who has some serious alt-right leanings, son to Walt), Katherine Langford plays Meg Thrombey (Harlan's granddaughter, daughter to Joni), K Callan plays Wanetta "Great Nana" Thrombey (mother to Harlan), Riki Lindhome plays Donna Thrombey (Harlan's daughter-in-law, married to Walt), and Edi Patterson plays Fran (Harlan's housekeeper.). Even the great Frank Oz has a small role as Alan Stevens; Harlan's lawyer.
Everyone does what is required of them and more, each are immensely entertaining in their roles. Chris Evans goes from playing Captain America earlier this year to a swanky, hilarious, scene-stealing playboy in this film. Man, he is such a gift. Noah Segan is perfect as the enthusiastic trooper. He has played a role in each of Rian Johnson's films, and is always an absolute joy to watch on screen. Lakeith Stanfield is great, impressive and fun as usual. Michael Shannon gets to show off his great humor and his ability to make us shrink back in our seats...this film definitely shows off both sides of this talented actor. Jamie Lee Curtis is stoic, sarcastic and great fun (her role reminded me of her role in the tv series Scream Queens). Toni Collette nails her role with ease (it's a hoot to watch her play the airhead). Christopher Plummer is great and likable as one of the only "nice" ones in the film (his character has a big heart and is kind). Daniel Craig is perfection as the cool, suave expert who may or may not always be five steps ahead of everyone else. Ana de Armas is fantastic as a genuinely good person with a heart of gold (She is drop-dead gorgeous, and previously played Joi in Blade Runner 2049. Look for her next in the upcoming Bond film "No Time To Die". Daniel Craig and her get the largest amount of screen time as they act as a pair for most of Knives Out). Don Johnson is great as well.
Knives Out is a film that defies genre-ization. It cannot be defined by any one genre, and is it's own wholly unique and original thing. It bills itself as a classic murder-mystery whodunit in the vein of Clue, Deathtrap, or Murder on The Orient Express and it certainly has elements from that genre within it. Knives Out is a movie that continually morphs and shifts as you watch it ( you never quite know exactly what you're watching). It's certainly a hard one to categorize or define (if anything, the film plays more like a game than anything else). This much is definitely true though, it's a ton of fun and it enjoys continually challenging your expectations.
Rian Johnson (who previously directed Brick, Looper, The Brothers Bloom, and The Last Jedi) writes and directs, and Steve Yedlin is in charge of cinematography (indeed, there are some gorgeous shots within the film). Rian Johnson is one of the best directors we have working in the business today, and he once again proves that here. He plays within multiple different genres in Knives Out, while commenting on the culture/society/times we are currently living in. There are nice messages/commentary here (naturally some of which are about the attitudes/behaviors of the rich), and the film could even be viewed as a metaphor for America and our immigrant situation. The script is clever, funny and impressive. Brick, Looper, and Last Jedi were gifts, and so is Knives Out.
Knives Out is very complex (some might say convoluted/confusing), there are many twists and turns, and an aspect of the big climax comes off as unrealistic while the climax itself feels clunky (though the issues with the climax could easily be viewed as a common issue with most detective films when you really think about it). When all is said and done, Knives Out is certainly not going to be what you expect (or maybe even want) it to be, and either you're going to be ok with that or you wont. Whether or not you like the film, it's hard to deny that a lot of hard work and love clearly went into making it (indeed, Knives Out is expertly crafted). Knives Out easily emerges as one of the best, most surprising, most fun films of 2019.
4.5 STARS
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