Sleuth (2007)
Average Rating: 5.1/10
Reviews Counted: 119
Fresh: 43 | Rotten: 76
Sleuth is so obvious and coarse, rather than suspenseful and action-packed, that it does nothing to improve on the original version
Average Rating: 4.9/10
Critic Reviews: 34
Fresh: 10 | Rotten: 24
Sleuth is so obvious and coarse, rather than suspenseful and action-packed, that it does nothing to improve on the original version
liked it
Average Rating: 3.2/5
User Ratings: 20,591
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Movie Info
The Anthony Shaffer play originally brought to the screen in 1972 gets the remake treatment in this updating that finds Michael Caine stepping into the role of the brilliant thriller writer portrayed by Laurence Olivier in the original, and Jude Law following in Caine's footsteps as the young hairdresser who steals the literary giant's wife, only to find himself subsequently swallowed up in an elaborate revenge scheme. Kenneth Branagh directs a script adapted from Shaffer's original play by
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Cast
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Michael Caine
Andrew Wyke -
Jude Law
Milo Tindle -
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All Critics (126) | Top Critics (35) | Fresh (44) | Rotten (79) | DVD (12)
Director Kenneth Branagh has mercifully pared the action down to 88 minutes (the first movie dragged on for 138), but the final act... still seems to go on forever.
Top CriticKenneth Branagh's direction, its self-consciously skewed angles and surveillance-cam cutaways highlighting his weakness for the misplaced flourish, is more of a hindrance than a help.
Director Kenneth Branagh clearly is having fun navigating Tim Harvey's slick set design, but eventually the characters' deadly competitiveness becomes tedious.
It doesnt work, and the reasons why are no mystery, no mystery at all.
This film wants only to entertain, and other talents have gathered with Pinter to help.
It sounds so promising. It plays so disappointing.
It requires a light touch; I admire Branagh a great deal, but not for his light touch.
Idly plotted then tempered by a blunt ending. All of a sudden the viewer is left pondering 'eh?' as Pinter apparently run out of room on his pad.
Pinter's pauses, and the dour air of so much of the interplay, just don't fit on a story that's this slight.
Once the homosexual subtext is brought to the surface, everything seems to be a joke. Are they gay, kidding, or just considering?
... the film comes off as little more than a contrivance for the theatrical spectacle of two actors duking it out, and [Jude] Law is simply outmatched.
Fans of the original should stay away.
Put two gifted actors from two different generations in a two-character film, and it's like watching two bull elks battle for the herd.
Sleuth is a rare film where violence is a welcome relief, concluding the madness that puts the audience out of its misery as the credits thankfully roll.
The script includes a verbal motif that reminds us of what binds the film's four central talents together: 'I want to show you something.' [Blu-Ray review]
What this Sleuth lacks in enthusiasm it makes up in character-driven menace.
Despite Branagh's every attempt to capitalise on the intimacy of the cinematic medium with (intrusive) close-ups, the direction is heavy handed; the result being a dramatic, but emotionally cold experience
Goofy art house tendencies (including an ill-thought dalliance with homo-eroticism) trigger a few giggles, yet the clever, crisply-acted power struggle seizes your attention
Audience Reviews for Sleuth
Super Reviewer
A mind game about control, one upmanship, love, money and lonliness. A low budget flick that holds your attention throughout and you will certainly have a love it or hate it feeling come the end.
Super Reviewer
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