What’s Going On?

Poker Face stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie and early on it is revealed she has an unusual ability – she can tell when people are lying, essentially 100% of the time. As Charlie points out this is not as helpful as it sounds, the best practical use was with playing cards but a mobster put a stop to that and she now works in his casino as a waitress. Events transpire that Charlie must go on the run and every episode she is in a new place with a new cash-in-hand job. Poker Face follows the formula of Columbo in that we see the murder at the start of the episode, we see who did it and why and the elaborate plot they concoct to get away with it. And they would have too if it wasn’t for that meddling Natasha Lyonne. The show is mainly Charlie working out how the murder was done and then being able to prove it – she may know but she needs “cop proof”. It seem odd that every week Charlie finds herself dealing with another murder…and it is, but you have to just go with that.

In Front of the Camera

Now as just about the rest of the cast changes every episode the show rests on Natasha Lyonne. Fortunately, Lyonne is a great actor and immensely charming and likeable. Perhaps known to many for her role in American Pie Lyonne has worked on many amazing projects such as starring in But I’m A Cheerleader and Russian Doll, the Groundhog Day-style Netflix hit.

Every episode features an array of talent – Adrian Brody, Chloe Sevigny, Tim Blake Nelson, Luis Guzman, Jameela Jamil all-star in episodes, and that is just the beginning. It seems like great actors have been throwing themselves at Johnson to either be murdered or a murderer.

Behind The Scenes

Rian Johnson is credited as the show’s creator and writes and directs a number of episodes but there are a number of writers and directors who work on the show.

Does It Work?

Poker Face is great television – not perhaps like Succession or Better Call Saul – but in an immensely enjoyable episodic TV made by talented people to a high standard. Each episode is different and often they focus on different things – not simply how was the murder done, in one episode the writing of a song is as much as a mystery as the murder. The show does a lot to play with your expectations – people we assume to be villains aren’t and people we assume to be nice are shown to be deadly. People are complicated and Charlie often makes friends not just with the victim or the wrongfully accused but the murderers themselves, there are no caricatures of bad people who are thoroughly unpleasant.

Natasha Lyonne is fantastic and you feel like you could watch her for hours just chatting to people. Unsurprisingly, for someone who can tell when people are lying, Charlie has a cynical aspect to her, yet will repeatedly put herself in harm’s way to help others but Lyonne is only the best part of a great show.

Rating: (4 / 5)

Your contribution to Big Picture Film Club will allow us to continue to produce content. No matter the amount your contributions are greatly appreciated.

The post Review: Poker Face – Rian Johnson’s Whodunnit Genius Strikes Again appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.

That game is afoot

That death can take over life in a heartbeat is being cruelly proven to the Thrombey family. The day after celebrating the 85th birthday of Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), he’s found dead. As a father and grandfather, he will be missed by everyone of his family. Although, not by everyone it seems, as his death might not be suicide as initially thought. It could be a grim murder instead and because of that, detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) starts to look into this case. He’s not only investigating that tragic night but also the entire family. What a family it is!

It doesn’t take long before we find out that every family member has some dark secrets behind the innocent and grieving façade. The main suspect is Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas), the help who was the last person who saw Harlan alive. Was it maybe one of the family members such as his daughter Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis), his son Walt (Michael Shannon) or one of the inlaws such as Harlan’s third child’s widow Joni (Toni Collette) or son-in-law Richard (Don Johnson)? Probably not because the dogs barked and so it certainly must be a stranger? Maybe it’s the long lost Ransom (Chris Evans), who has a nasty relationship with the rest of his family? The further his investigation takes him, the bigger the mystery becomes. Who will be the evilest family member and will be able to solve the murder?

A brilliant A-list cast and impressive upcoming talent

So many questions and so little answers. Throughout the film, more clues about the dead come to the surface. By the end of Knives Out, you will not only have become the next Sherlock Holmes but you’ve also seen a thrilling, electrifying, humourist and stunningly performed film.

There’s absolutely no shortage of incredible talent in Knives Out. He already did spy work in multiple James Bond films and solving mysterious is what Graig (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Spectre) is superior in. In Knives Out, he steps up his game even more as the clever, witty and humouristic private detective. Even his Southern accent is spot-on. The “I’m talking to myself” scenes are such a joy to watch and the big revelation scene is certainly the highlight of this movie. As the grieving daughter, Curtis (Halloween, An Acceptable Loss) never overplays or underplays the emotions and gives her character a lot of flair and confidence. She brings a lot of humour and memorable moments to Knives Out.

It was halfway through the movie that we got a glimpse of Evans (Avengers: Endgame, Gifted) for the first time but the wait was worth it. With his contagious laughter and fabulous performance, he brings out the arrogant, underhanded and secretive characteristics of Ransom. It’s not only the established actors giving it their best shot but also upcoming talent such as de Armas (Blade Runner 2049, War Dogs). She puts on a thrilling, emotional, funny and joyful performance which is both dark and lively at the same time.

Spectacular setting and bombastic score

Another element of why this movie feels like a big game of Cluedo is the colossal mansion with many different and spacious rooms. All the rooms are filled with possible murder/suicide weapons such as the many antiques, paintings or even that magnificent masterpiece full of knives. Is there one knife missing by any chance? Congratulations are definitely in order for the location management department and the set decorator.

A film like this, that’s full of suspense, betrayal and mystery elements, needs to have an on-point score and that’s exactly what Knives Out has. It doesn’t take long before the sharp violins, heavily beating drums and bombastic music take over this film. The score gives this movie such a powerful effect.

A devious whodunnit with a superb cast

After being screened at the BFI London Film Festival, Knives Out is now now coming back to UK cinemas. If you want to see a gorgeous, enigmatic, compelling and entertaining whodunnit that’s brought to life by stunning performances, grandiose score and bags of humour then Knives Out is the perfect film.

Rating: (4 / 5)

Also Read: The Irishman (Review)

The post Review: Knives Out appeared first on Big Picture Film Club.