A Haunting in Venice: film review

 

This was a mashup of Hercule Poirot whodunnit with horror.

1947. Hercule Poirot (played by Kenneth Branagh) has retired to Venice. His friend, Ariadne Oliver (transformed from the bumbling English matron of the Agatha Christiebooks into a pushy American) has arranged for him to attend a seance in an allegedly haunted palazzo on Halloween. Cue spooky special effects and, of course, a murder. Suspects, who are, of course, shut in the palazzo by a storm tide, include a (‘don’t call me loony!’) loony doctor and his creepy prodigy of a son, the medium’s two assistants, the palazzo owner (an ex Opera singer), the housekeeper, the ex-boyfriend (a chef), and the ex-cop. 

I guessed whodunnit almost at once and I even got the method after a whopping great clue. But the cinematography was spot on, the special effects were good, the claustrophobia of the storm and the sense of growing menace well-induced and the acting was great.

Steph hated it. She thought it was schlock. Of course, it was. But it was schlock well done.