Death On The Nile Movie Review {3/5}: Critic Review of Death On The Nile by Times of India

Synopsis: An exotic Egyptian vacation by the Nile takes a tragic turn for a honeymooning couple and their guests after a few passengers on their cruise are mysteriously murdered.

Review: An heiress (Gal Gadot) who draws multiple enemies owing to her significant wealth goes weak in the knees the moment she locks eyes with a friend’s fiance (Armie Hammer). Love isn’t all hearts and roses though, is it? She along with her husband head for their cruise honeymoon soon which turns out to be a nightmare.

As the dead body count goes higher aboard the cruise, detective Hercule Poirot (Kenneth Branagh) must find the missing links and uncover the truth and conspiracies that plague the river steamer.

Death on the Nile is among Agatha Christie’s most loved works, an engaging murder mystery revolving around love, jealously and betrayal. Kenneth Branagh struggles once again as a storyteller to bring the celebrated writer’s work to life on the big screen. His previous film (Murder on the Orient Express, 2017) feels a tad superior when compared to this sensual but sluggish instalment. He alters a few things but those never work to its advantage.Moving at a snail’s pace, Branagh’s never ending buildup drains the curiosity out of you. By the time he actually begins the story, you are too tired to feel involved or join his investigation.

The film is solid as far as the camera work and performances are concerned. Ali Fazal gets a substantial role and does ample justice to his character Andrew. He even pulls off the British accent perfectly. Gal Gadot infuses life into an otherwise dreary adaptation. Armie Hammer’s extra dusky makeup feels unnecessary but overall, the ensemble cast does well and they aren’t the problem here. The opening scene, a sensual dance sequence has been gorgeously shot. The camera follows the raging intimacy of a couple on the dance floor…. lust, sweat and sexual tension like a shadow.

The film has its moments but it gathers steam a bit too late for your liking.