[Review] Murder on the Orient Express: Shattered Souls

Murder on the Orient Express is an adaptation of the famous novel of the same name, which was also made into a film in 1974 and received multiple Oscar nominations. In comparison, while the 2017 version of Murder on the Orient Express boasts an incredibly strong cast, the overall film feels a bit dim and lackluster.

First, I'd like to thank 20th Century Fox for inviting me to the premiere party for Murder on the Orient Express. There were many people dressed in vintage attire, which truly created a wonderful atmosphere! As a mystery film, Murder on the Orient Express invites the audience to follow in the footsteps of the renowned detective Hercule Poirot (played by Kenneth Branagh) to uncover the murderer on the train. To avoid spoiling anyone's viewing experience, this article will remain spoiler-free.

The film gathers a stellar cast including Johnny Depp, Judi Dench, Michelle Pfeiffer, Willem Dafoe, Daisy Ridley, and Josh Gad, which undoubtedly makes the movie more appealing. However, I felt that each of their characters lacked significant development, leaving the audience with only superficial impressions of them and recognition of the familiar faces of the actors. Undeniably, the film does lay out a series of hints: we know Johnny Depp isn't playing a good guy, Daisy Ridley and Leslie Odom Jr.'s characters might have a mysterious connection, and Michelle Pfeiffer's character is not simple... But these are conveyed through very simple dialogue and plot points. The film doesn't provide enough narrative for us to truly understand them or witness their character development. Unless viewers are as astute as Hercule Poirot in the film, we essentially don't get to know these characters clearly.

Perhaps this isn't solely a script issue, but rather that the original novel itself is truly complex. Beyond the story on the train, a past case is also crucial to the plot. However, when narrating this past case, the film only uses some dialogue and fragmented flashback snippets. I understand that the film might not want to narrate this too completely, to avoid letting the audience discover the truth too quickly, but such a narrative method makes it difficult for viewers to fully grasp. Therefore, when the film unveils the mystery, audiences might not truly understand the relationships between all the events, often having to rely on character dialogue to comprehend the plot. I believe that after the film ends, they will only remember the solution and the climax, while the story itself and the character setups might remain very vague.

When the truth is revealed, it is indeed somewhat unexpected. The faded visual style of that scene, combined with the background music, truly conveys the sadness and heartache the film intends to express, but unfortunately, this might also be one of the few truly memorable scenes for the audience. The film's theme discusses the profound impact of crime on individuals, truly capable of shattering a person's soul. It also raises questions about whether the current legal system can deliver true justice. Even if justice is served, can it heal already shattered souls?

Kenneth Branagh's self-directed and starring work was even shot on 65mm film, though unfortunately, Hong Kong audiences couldn't experience this format. Nevertheless, the film's opening sequence in Jerusalem is truly beautiful, especially the stunning sunset and coastal views. Later, the film's shots of the snow-covered mountains and the scenery along the train's route are magnificent. However, I found the camera work inside the train a bit strange. It first uses a long take to capture Hercule's interactions with other characters as he boards, and then frequently employs a "god's-eye view" for crime scenes. Yet, these shots fail to synchronize with the film's pace and plot, making their intention unclear. Moreover, these shots and the film's editing do not enhance the film's suspense, making it feel lacking in the tension typically associated with detective investigations.

As for the actors' performances, as I mentioned earlier, the characters in the film don't undergo much development, limiting the actors' opportunities to shine. Additionally, I found that too much screen time was dedicated to Hercule, while other actors received relatively little, which felt like a waste of such an excellent cast. Relatively speaking, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, and Johnny Depp had more significant roles and were more memorable. Johnny Depp didn't play an eccentric character this time, but his gaze in some scenes still seemed to carry traces of that type of portrayal. This film is also Daisy Ridley's second starring role after Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and her performance remains eye-catching, making me eager to see her in Star Wars: The Last Jedi in two weeks. As for Michelle Pfeiffer, recent years have marked a resurgence in her career. Following her brilliant performance in Mother! two months prior, she also had considerable opportunities to shine in this film, with some scenes being quite moving. She's even set to appear in Marvel's Ant-Man and the Wasp next year!