Knives Out (2019)

By: Mike Ward on Saturday, January 04

PG-13 Running Time: 130 mins

SHOULD I SEE IT?

YES

  • Knives Out might just be the most fun I have had at the movies in 2019.

  • Rian Johnson’s throwback to the cinematic, Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries of old is a refreshing, comedic whodunit that features a stellar cast seemingly having the time of their lives.

  • Not only does this prove to be a breakout moment for Ana de Armas, but Daniel Craig has a new character in private investigator Benoit Blanc to perhaps play for years to come.

NO

  • Some feel the film is all about presentation and less about the substance of the story being told.

  • You prefer watching movies that are not universally praised by audience and critics alike.

  • The film does have a few nods and winks to present day politics that apparently have upset a handful of moviegoers. Get over yourself and go enjoy the movie.


OUR REVIEW

As a throwback comedy/murder mystery, Rian Johnson’s delectable Knives Out is one of the most entertaining films of 2019. With an all-star cast fully engaged with Johnson’s vision, and a fascinating new character for Daniel Craig to dive into and build from scratch, this is a wickedly smart film, which will likely keep you guessing until the ultimate reveal in the film’s final moments.

Largely set within the confines of an extraordinary mansion, owned by the late legendary mystery writer Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer), it is the death of Thrombey that has rocked the very foundation of his family. Though a funeral has occurred, investigators have some suspicions that Thrombey’s death by suicide may not be as it appears to be. On the day of his memorial, the family is all brought back in for questioning, just to button up some remaining details.

Joining Detective Elliott (Lakeith Stanfield) and Trooper Wagner (Noah Segen) is a mysterious private detective named Benoit Blanc (Craig). As Elliott leads the questioning, a random stroke of a piano key from Blanc, sitting almost in shadows in the back of the room, serves as a way for Blanc to introduce himself into the proceedings.

Johnson has crafted a terrific character for Craig to portray, and with Knives Out’s box office success, it would not surprise me to see Blanc return in a sequel or series of films in the coming years.

Here, however, the joy of seeing Craig play around with a marble-mouthed, southern gentleman dialect and presence is just one of the many rewards we experience while watching the selfish, narcissistic Thrombey family complain, accuse, and cover-up their failings as sons, daughters, and siblings.

Through the prism of Harlan’s personal nurse, Marta (Ana de Armas), we learn that Harlan cut off any and all family members he was personally supporting.

His son Will (Michael Shannon) has just been relieved of his duties from running the family publishing company. Daughter-in-law Joni (Toni Collette) has benefitted from a clerical error where tuition payments for her daughter Meg (Katherine Langford) have been also sent to her. Son-in-law Richard (Don Johnson) has been found to be having an affair and Harlan has threatened to tell his daughter Linda (Jamie Lee Curtis). Grandson Ransom (Chris Evans) is being removed from Harlan’s will because he feels it is time to let Ransom grow up and earn things for himself.

Essentially, in traditional Agatha Christie-style, every major player seems to have a motive, but Harlan’s death appears to be from suicide. Johnson’s screenplay knows you know this: And yet he cleverly finds ways to shift expectations, play around with twists and turns you don’t anticipate, and splice in humor and timely social commentary that all blends together into one tremendously enjoyable romp.

The cast is terrific from top to bottom, with de Armas proving to be the breakout performance of the film. Though she has been acting in movies and television for years, outside of a supporting turn in Blade Runner 2049, this is the first opportunity for audiences to really see de Armas in a leading role. Her ability to balance emotion and humor, play jokes for silliness or to deadpan punchlines is a huge catalyst to making Marta and this movie something we appreciate.

Aesthetically speaking, Knives Out looks terrific. The production design work on the Trombley estate is meticulously crafted by David Crank and David Schlesinger, while Jenny Eagan’s costume design for the Trombley family is perfectly suited to their escalating temperaments. Johnson’s film also juggles multiple storylines exceedingly well, and never leaves us behind as new elements are introduced. Praise should be given to Bob Ducsay’s editing work, making sure all of Johnson’s details are given proper space and time within the construct of his extravagant cinematic murder mystery party.

Knives Out is simply delightful and as it took me on its mysterious journey, I was smiling from ear-to- ear. Johnson is a skilled storyteller, and his effort to make the old murder mystery movie event feel new again proves a rousing success.

The only question remaining is not “Will I like Knives Out?” Trust me. You will. Instead, what I want solved is this mystery: Will we possibly get another one?

CAST & CREW

Starring: Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon, Don Johnson, Toni Collette, LaKeith Stanfield, Christopher Plummer, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, Riki Lindhome, Edi Patterson, Frank Oz, K Callan, Noah Segan, M. Emmett Walsh.

Director: Rian Johnson
Written by: Rian Johnson
Release Date: November 27, 2019
Lionsgate