Ben W
Is it true? No.
What happens? a) That'd be telling. b) Murderous hokum, in an English village.
What do I think? Tick. Then, if that is pure ego, why the tick? I was tired. It had a good pace? In a positive mood, having star-studded cast should mean people know what they're doing. It is a Christie, so generally, there's an air of mystery, and then a horrid conclusion. Straight telling, not being clever about it. Sense of humour in there. Fine.
PS. Should say, listened to Buzzing About by The Apples from the onset of the big reveal, second murder. Helped.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
11/25/24
Full Review
Roy H
It seemed more like a cheap daytime TV drama than a film with a star studded cast .
Rated 1/5 Stars •
Rated 1 out of 5 stars
10/12/24
Full Review
Audience Member
The Mirror Crack'd (1980) is a nice take on an Agatha Christie classic. The star-studded cast, which includes Angela Lansbury, Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Kim Novak, and Tony Curtis, really helps elevate the material. The acting performances are easily the highlight of the film, and the chemistry between the actors is palpable. The screenplay is also very sharp, and the exchanges between Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak in particular are highly entertaining. It is a delight to see these screen legends on a little film such as this.
But the movie's directorial choices are puzzling. If you're not familiar with the book, the mystery is pretty easy to solve because the director gives away the game early on. For those of us who know the story, the ending isn't much of a reveal. I think the film would have been much more suspenseful and satisfying if the clues had been presented more subtly.
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
07/18/24
Full Review
Jeff M
If memory serves, I believe this is the first cinematic Agatha Christie adaptation that I have not been able to recommend. With Lansbury as Marple, the whole enterprise inevitably feels a bit like a MURDER, SHE WROTE audition. The trouble is that Marple is basically a supporting character here, relying on her nephew to do the back work while she is at home nursing a sprained leg. This easily could have been re-written with Marple completely eliminated. The whole thing feels a little automatic pilot - there's not a lot of life to the film. And there's no sense of fun and joy. I hate to repeat myself, but it indeed feels like an exceptionally cast episode of MURDER, SHE WROTE. And what a cast it is! The most fun, by far, is watching Taylor and Kim Novak as two vain actresses who despise one another - their barbs back and forth are the film's saving grace, although Novak's performance feels a bit cartoonish at times. It's a bittersweet joy to watch Taylor and Hudson together nearly 25 years after GIANT and a mere 5 years before Hudson's tragic death. Also, keen viewers may notice an extremely brief, maybe 15 second wordless appearance by a very young Pierce Brosnan. It's a shame that such an amazing cast, which also includes Tony Curtis and Geraldine Chaplin, are treated as though they're guest stars on THE LOVE BOAT. It's worth a peek for the sheer caliber of the thespians involved, but other than that, it's not a memorable experience.
Rated 2.5/5 Stars •
Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars
01/17/24
Full Review
Blu B
It's actually not that bad. The cineamtography is decent and has some pretty memorable set pieces and the pacing isn't bad either but this can drag at certain parts. so is the acting which is mainly powered by Lansbury who is the best thing in this giving a solid perfromance. Problem is everyone else isn't that likeable and is stuck up, arrogant, or filled with too much over the top ego without being memorable. Especially taylor at times though she has a good moment here and there. Everything else is just ok. The main issue is Edward fox is very dry and dull and becomes the main focus of the story 30 minutes in out of nowhere when it should've been Lansbury. And it feels like as he investigates things just happen as we get the backstory of all the unlikeable side characters. It's a shame because it starts out strong but just loses all momentum in the 20 minutes after focusing on the party and all the uninteresting people without Lansbury. The mystery does have a pretty decent twist (mainly because the middle is shotty with editing and storytelling) but it does make sense and is a suprise somewhat. Anyone who is a fan of any actors in this, the director, or Whodunit's should check this out.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
01/16/24
Full Review
Robert C
The directing made the 'clues' far too obvious.
Rated 2/5 Stars •
Rated 2 out of 5 stars
11/12/23
Full Review
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