Book-to-movie adaptations are famously a mixed bag. The most recent adaptation to hit the big screen is the Kenneth Branagh take at Agatha Christie’s classic 1937 novel Death on the Nile. This Hercule Poirot tale follows the famous Belgian detective on a cruise down the eponymous river, where he attempts to solve the eventual (five) murders.
Those coming for the action will, for the most part, be disappointed. The first taste of murder only happens more than halfway through the movie’s runtime (a whopping two hours) and doesn’t create as much tension as one would expect. The movie begins with an inexplicable prologue of Poirot’s time in the war, which seems only to explain the origin of the detective’s signature mustache. This scene is just the start of the filler plaguing this film that seems to exist only to pad the runtime and allow Branagh more time to demonstrate his Belgian accent.
A scene at a tomb spends far too long showing the cruise members exploring ancient Egyptian ruins, with not nearly enough character or plot development to warrant the time it takes. Spending time on these bloated scenes that stall the plot becomes even more questionable at the movie’s climax. Bouc, a man who up until this point appears to be a casual friend or acquaintance of Poirot, is shot by the movie’s villain. This causes Poirot to break down because his best friend has died, to the point where the detective appears almost in tears. This emotional reaction seems to come out of nowhere, a classic case of a movie telling and not showing. Poirot’s tears might have seemed more warranted if the movie had shown a prologue of his and Bouc’s connection instead of a facial hair origin story.
Another thing bogging down the movie and elongating the runtime is the overabundance of landscapes and establishing shots. The main location for the action, the scenery around the cruise ship, is gorgeous. Still, the shots are repetitive and none of the accompanying cinematography is innovative enough to feel worth it.
Overall, though Death on the Nile has a strong backbone and a compelling plot, it loses points by being bogged down with unnecessary scenes and landscape shots that don’t add momentum or character development. As a result, the movie is enjoyable enough to have on in the background but unlikely to be anyone’s movie night go to.
Featured Image By Morgan Scruggs