The Kenneth Branagh version of the Detective Poirot series began with the movie Murder on the Orient Express, which was released in theaters in 2017. Death on the Nile is the second installment of such a series. This film is an adaptation of Agatha Christie’s original novel. Since it was hinted in the previous Murder on the Orient Express that the following story would take place in the Nile, it is a long-awaited sequel. The choice of this film was quite a challenge, given the prominence of the 1978 film adaptation of the same novel.
Branagh’s version of Poirot, 2nd
As mentioned above, the movie Death on the Nile is the second Branagh version of Poirot. What makes this series unique is that Branagh is not only the director but also plays the role of the main character, the famous detective Poirot. Widely known as a Shakespearean actor, Branagh has often directed and acted on stage and screen.
Death on the Nile is a great challenge, not only because the original story is one of the most famous in the Poirot series but also because it has been the subject of some outstanding visual productions.
Incidentally, Death on the Nile was adapted for the screen in 1978, directed by John Gillamin and starring Peter Justinov (as Hercule Poirot).
I felt that Branagh’s focus in this film was the depth of the character of Poirot. In “Murder on the Orient Express,” I think Poirot is portrayed as slightly softer. Although Murder is not an acceptable act, Poirot was incredibly moved by the motives of the murderers and the way he was unsure of his decision. In contrast, Poirot in this film is a little rough and challenging, and we can see his uncompromising attitude toward this case motivated by his self-interest. He found it difficult to direct and perform the dynamics of this very different character of Poirot. In this way, I could read his intention to express a new image of Poirot.
Gorgeous and unexpected casting
The movie Death on the Nile has attracted much attention for its spectacular casting even before its release. Branagh’s version of Poirot always features talented actors. It is a tradition to have a spectacular casting each time, and this film was no exception. The casting of Gal Gadot as the beautiful millionaire Lynette and Armie Hammer as her husband, the somewhat seedy Simon, is typical of Branagh’s skillful use of actors’ images.
However, somewhat surprisingly, Emma McKee, who plays the key character Jacqueline in the popular Netflix drama “SEX EDUCATION,” is no longer a household name. She has not appeared in many films, and I was apprehensive about casting her alongside actors like Branagh, Gadot, and Hammer, all of whom have worked in major Hollywood films.
However, I found no need for such concerns after watching the film. Although Mackie was a young actress, her performance with her eyes was incredible, and she radiated a mysterious charm that attracted people to watch her. Branagh also customarily finds a talented actress who has yet to make her mark in the film industry and casts her in an important role. In this film, Mackie was a perfect fit for the role.
Stylish and fascinating Poirot
The film Death on the Nile stands out because of its stylish direction. In this film, there were especially many cuts with fast-paced scene changes. It was too dizzying and complex to understand if you were not concentrating. In particular, the use of dresses was well thought out regarding color, shape, and shadows. The use of vivid colors and light, and the relative use of shadows, is Branagh’s usual technique. The film shows Poirot’s emotions and skillfully expresses each character’s bright and dark sides. In the final scene, the two overlapping figures were made to look like a heart from a distance. It was a very Branagh-esque way to showcase the characters.
Some other changes from the original work were also very Branagh-like. The main difference is that the melodramatic elements have been increased. There seems to be some controversy about this change, but it was necessary to make Branagh’s version of Poirot stand out from past works. However, the length of the piece could have been stylishly shortened to draw in a larger audience, as the overall length seems stretched out in the view.
Summary
Death on the Nile, the second film in Branagh’s Poirot series, is led by Branagh’s new interpretation of Poirot and features an impressive cast of talented actors, each bringing their unique charm to the film. Branagh’s direction also shines through in many places in this film.
