SEE HOW THEY RUN

As someone who grew up on the novels of Agatha Christie, See How They Run felt like it had been made just for me.

A murder-mystery in the style of The Queen of Crime, taking place during a production of The Mousetrap, featuring Agatha as an actual character appealed to me from the moment I heard about it.

It did not disappoint.

During the afterparty to The Mousetraps 100th showing, film director Leo Köpernick (Adam Brody) is murdered. His bloodied corpse left on stage for the rest of the plays cast to find.

Enter our detectives; The world weary Inspector Stoppard (Sam Rockwell), and the enthusiastic but inexperienced Constable Stalker (Saoirse Ronan) to sort through the myriad of suspects and find our killer.

I have been a big fan of Saoirse Ronan for a number of years now, and it was fun to see how take on a lighter, more comedic role. She has forged a path for herself as one of the best leading actors around for period dramas, so seeing her show a bit more of her range was a welcome surprise and she is consistently funny throughout.

Sam Rockwell, however, who I am also a big fan of, feels strangely lacklustre in his role. It’s not a poor performance by any stretch of the imagination, but it is lacking the charm and charisma that has become synonymous with his screen presence. 

Perhaps this was down to the fact that his dour character had to spend the majority of the film standing next to Saoirse Ronan’s bright and dynamic Constable, and therefore came off a bit weak in comparison, but it didn’t wholly work for me.

The true star of See How The Run is, however, not a part of the cast at all, but the films central mystery. 

A whodunit is only ever as strong as they mystery we are attempting to unravel, and how engaged the audience is in the answer. See How They Run kept me guessing all throughout its 90 minute runtime, and managed to shock and surprise through each of its twists and turns.

Already I’m looking forward to my next viewing, as I am certain that, knowing now who the killer is, I will spot further clues that I missed the first time around.

Each character has motive. Is it film producer John Woolf (Reece Shearsmith) trying to cover up an affair with his assistant? Is it the theatre producer Petula Spencer (Ruth Wilson), trying to protect her asset? Is it the writer Mervyn Cocker-Norris (David Oyelowo), who was heard having a blazing row with the deceased?

As the film progresses, the more we learn, and trying to separate the red herrings from the important information is part of the fun with a campy whodunit such as this.

There are also a number of nods throughout the Christies other work - such as the Belgian hotelier asked by Constable Stalker where in France he is from - and these little Easter eggs, fun for those more au fait with the Poirot and Miss Marple novels to look out for. Like an extra breadcrumb, not necessarily relating to the plot, but satisfying to find none the less. 

See How They Run is a film which will manage to entertain viewers of all ages. It is one that I can see getting viewed repeatedly over the course of wet Sunday afternoons. It does not break new ground, but it will, I am sure, become a family favourite for years to come. 

Agatha Christie fans may get more out of it than those less familiar with her work, but there is something here for everyone to enjoy. It might not quite be on a par with the likes of Knives Out but it is a fun, camp, throwback to a genre we do not see in cinema all that often.