SLEUTH

Starring:
Michael Caine and Jude Law

Director:
Kenneth Branagh

Running Time:
86 mins

Out to buy on DVD 28/04/08

"You're sleeping with my wife"

When out of work actor and part time hairdresser Milo Tindle (Law) visits acclaimed writer Andrew Wyke (Caine), the novelist knows exactly who he is. Living alone in his high tech estate after his wife left him for a younger man, Andrew has been plotting his revenge against him and as Milo comes to ask for him to divorce his wife Maggie, the game is about to begin. What he doesn't realise is that Milo has just as strong an intellect as him and the game is about to get very complicated indeed.

Remakes are becoming a stalwart in Hollywood at the moment but when acclaimed British actors, director and playwright come together to collaborate you have to take notice.

Based on the award winning play by Anthony Shaffer but with a new approach by acclaimed playwright Harold Pinter, this is a new, updated version of the play and the original 1972 movie version. With the same premise, this is a modern approach that uses technology and high design as the backdrop to a battle of wits that will be pushed to the very extreme. The problem is that the modern twists have made the impact of the movie feel a little lacking.

When it comes to bringing 'Sleuth' to the silver screen again, one of Britain's best directors Kenneth Branagh and one of the countries best playwrights Harold Pinter may have sounded like the dream combination. When you bring in Jude Law and Michael Caine, returning to the movie that showed again how good an actor he really was back in 1972, you should have expected a classic in the making but the film is missing a genuine impact.

There is no denying that Sir Michael Caine is one of the best actors Britain has ever produced and he is the obvious choice to return to 'Sleuth' but now as the older character of Andrew Wyke. The actor has grown better and better with age and he proves again that he can command your attention. As the acclaimed crime novelist, he is a man who loves a battle of wits and in Milo Tindle, the man who has taken his wife from him but he doesn't realise he has found a more than worthy opponent. Of course Michael Caine, rises to the challenge of the role and makes it his own. The let down for the movie is Jude Law. The jury has always been out on if Jude Law is a good actor or just a pretty boy and over the years he has proved that he can act but as Milo Tindle he pushes that to the extreme. While Michael Caine is simply a actor who can capture your attention throughout, but Jude Law is completely over the top, almost pantomime like in his portrayal of the hairdresser and wannabe actor. As the film progresses and Tindle and Wyke struggle to get the upper hand, Law gets more and more over the top, trying far too hard to show that he has a range that he doesn't really have.

'Sleuth' is a showcase play and movie for young and distinguished actors to showcase their talents. Kenneth Branagh brings the best from Sir Michael Caine, who revels in the new version of Anthony Shaffer's play by Harold Pinter but Jude Law makes this a movie that loses its way and impact as an acting showcase and a movie that should captivate you from the off.

PICTURE & SOUND

Presented in Widescreen 2.35:1 Anamorphic with a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the transfer is good.

BONUS FEATURES

Commentary by director Kenneth Branagh and actor Michael Caine
Two of Britain most distinguished filmmakers come together to provide an excellent commentary for 'Sleuth'. It is clear that these to powerhouses of cinema have a huge amount of respect for each other but also know how to have intelligent, informative but humorous conversation. The two are extremely passionate about the project, with Sir Michael providing an insight into the differences between this version and the original and Kenneth talking about the how he became involved and how he approached this version. This is a track that fans of the film should really enjoy.

Commentary by producer and actor Jude Law
Jude Law provides a solo track from the prospective of a producer and performer. He talks passionately about working with acclaimed playwright Harold Pinter, director Kenneth Branagh and esteemed actor Michael Caine. With some fascinating behind the scenes stories and much about the making of the film, this is a decent single person commentary.

Sleuth: On Set (10.40 mins)
Split into sections entitled 'Day One', 'Judi Dench', 'Breaking in', 'Nightmare' and 'Last Day', this behind the scenes footage offers you an insight into the making of 'Sleuth' and reveals how Kenneth Branagh works as a director and how Sir Michael Caine and Jude Law work as actors.

A Game of Cat & Mouse: Behind the Scenes of Sleuth (15.03 mins)
Director Kenneth Branagh, screenwriter Harold Pinter and actors Michael Caine and Jude Law take you behind the scenes of the new adaptation of the Anthony Shaffer play. Looking at the characters of Milo Tindle, Andrew Wyke, Inspector Black and outlining the differences between the Harold Pinter version and the Anthony Shaffer original, this offers an insight into the production and a chance for the people involved to tell you more about the movie.

Inspector Black: Make Up Secrets Revealed (2.36 mins)
Make up artist Eileen Kastner-Delago takes you through the four and a half hour process of transforming Jude Law into the inspector.

OVERALL

The DVD treatment for 'Sleuth' is one that fans should enjoy. The two commentary tracks are good and the behind the scene featurettes reveal everything you need to know about the development of the film. These special features really compliment the film.

DVD


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2007