Knives Out

I could rate this film with four stars and say it’s a very entertaining, witty and funny detective movie. But Rian Johnson not only directed his film, but also wrote its script. And he wrote it as a homage to Agatha Christie, who conceived her detective stories in a similar spirit. Form the beginning, you have to pay close attention to what is going on in the film. Even the tiniest detail might be of importance in the investigation. If I said anything more, it might be a spoiler, so I’ll just say that if you like Hercule Poirot and his investigations, try to watch this with as little knowledge of the plot as possible, and look forward to Daniel Craig’s performance. Even though everyone’s performances are perfect, listening to Daniel’s ingeniously eccentric English was just divine. I enjoyed this greatly, that’s why I’m giving this five stars. Knives Out are a detective story you don’t get to see today, offering an original plot hardly anyone would write these days (except for book-based films). For me, it was an absolute film orgy. (01/10/2020)

I have mentioned several times that I am not really fond of classic detective stories that revolve around a sophisticated criminal and an even smarter detective who doesn't need a team of colleagues, and for whom uncovering the culprit is primarily an intellectual feat. As the years go by, my aversion to the world of better people where these stories usually take place only intensifies. Such detective stories represent a stylized spectacle with stereotypical characters, typical settings, and beloved props, and in my opinion, it is too artificial and bourgeois. Therefore, I accepted my daughter's invitation to the movie theater with certain hesitation and assumed that it would be somewhat uninspiring. However, it was a pleasant surprise. Director Johnson, who is also behind the screenplay, does indeed like detective stories, but he is not afraid to play with the rules and turn the genre into a bit of a parody. Light exaggeration is omnipresent, and the cast members clearly enjoy their roles and add a dose of ironic detachment to their performances without turning the film into a blatant parody. The result should satisfy not only fans of the genre but also those who find the classic formula of detective stories somewhat cliché. The choice of Daniel Craig for the role of detective is daring because he would be more suitable for the tough American school or the opposite side of the law, but it works. In addition, the members of the wealthy family are charming in their animosity and shortcomings. Overall impression: 75%. (12/02/2020)

A spectacular modern crime movie that bends the rules of the genre. Johnson is the narrator, so it’s hard for the audience to get lost. The tension could be cut with a knife almost throughout the movie. An incredible acting recital. Craig’s investigator removes all memory of Bond and Ana de Armas carries the heart of the entire story on her shoulders. This movie is like a donut with a hole in which there is another donut…with a hole…with a great climax inside. (02/07/2020)

I can't be enthusiastic about it, but for me it's absolutely similar to Murder on the Orient Express. The cast is perfect no doubt about it, Daniel Craig as the detective is decent and Ana de Armas is as always adorable, but it didn't draw me in at all. It's not funny and certainly not entertaining, nothing much actually happens for the two hours, until the final minute twist that saves the whole film to at least average, but by then I was looking forward to getting out of the cinema. Disappointment of the year and Rian Johnson has definitely confirmed that he will never make a film that I will like. 5/10 (12/19/2019)

A loving pastiche tribute to classic ensemble detective stories displaying contempt for film genre stereotypes and a good old detective story with everything you would expect. The movie really wants to represent all of that. And it surely does. Unfortunately, not in such a way that the individual approaches would complement each other. So each scene has a different approach. In some cases, scenes are conflict with each other. As a result, the individual approaches pull the rug from under each other´s feet and there is a problem with that. The last nails in the coffin are the film's extremely long running time and the really poor acting in the second half . Nevertheless, Blanc's excessive and absurd character has potential, and no matter how unjustified the running time is, you won't be bored. (09/20/2020)