Synopsis: An exotic Egyptian vacation by the Nile takes a tragic turn for a honeymoon couple and their guests when some of the passengers on their cruise are mysteriously murdered.
Review: An heiress (Gal Gadot) who attracts many enemies because of her significant wealth becomes weak in the knees when she closes eyes with a friend’s fiancée (Army Hammer). Love isn’t all hearts and roses, is it? She along with her husband soon goes on their cruise honeymoon which turns out to be a nightmare.
As the number of dead bodies rises higher on the cruise, Detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) must find the missing link and uncover the truth and conspiracies that plague the river steamers.
Death on the Nile is one of Agatha Christie’s favorite works, a fascinating murder mystery revolving around love, jealousy, and betrayal. Kenneth Branagh struggles once again as a storyteller to bring the famed author’s work to life on the big screen. His previous film (Murder on the Orient Express, 2017) feels somewhat better than this sensuous but dull installment. He changes some things but they never work to his advantage. Proceeding at a snail’s pace, Branagh’s never-ending creation is sure to pique your curiosity. By the time he actually starts the story, you’re too tired to join in or investigate him.
The film is strong as far as camera work and performance are concerned. Ali Fazal gets a pivotal role and has done enough justice to his character Andrew. He even totally pulls off the British accent. Gal Gadot turns life into an otherwise monotonous adaptation. Armie Hammer’s extra dusky makeup looks unnecessary but overall, the ensemble cast does well and they’re not a problem here. The opening scene, an erotic dance sequence, is shot lavishly. The camera follows the fiery intimacy of a couple on the dance floor …. Lust, sweat and sexual tension like a shadow.
The film has its moments but it picks up steam a little late for your liking.
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