Invito a un omicidio

So the acting in this flick is absolutely terrible but it certainly did not get any help from the writing. I am a life long fan of Agatha Christie and other mystery authors, as well as some film noir and I'm a little crazy about giallos. I also love a good mystery-comedy like the 1985 classic, Clue: The Movie with Tim Curry and Madeline Kahn. I would go as far as to say that Clue is one of my top five favorite films of all time. I thought more recent films like Knives Out and See How They Run were both fun and entertaining, while not being up to my highest standards. BUT THIS....did a teenager write this screenplay as fan fiction or what?

Casting a middle aged woman as the obnoxious but lovable, brilliant Hercule Poirot in a skirt could have worked. Could have. An older, curvier Mischa Barton can't plod through movies on her youthful glamorous looks anymore - she's borderline unrecognizable as an average, curvy blonde of about 40 - but that's not the problem: she can't act.

At bottom it is the writing that is terrible, though, that much is clear by the multiple caricatures which should be delightful and funny but just end up coming across as wooden and ridiculous.

There is a enormous dark house with chandeliers, and I do love a nice pair of vintage curtains.

Set in England (or a small island just off the coast) however none of this movie feels like England, which isn't surprising considering it was filmed in the U. S. Even lacking English accents (accurate ones, anyway), and awkwardly including American idioms throughout (e.g. English police do not carry guns). An uninteresting mystery with an unlikable protagonist and a rather boring conclusion. It sets itself up as the potential first in a series of movies starring the same amateur sleuth, but I will not be interested in anything that follows. It is nothing like the Agatha Christie mysteries it is trying to emulate, and it leaves a rather unpleasant taste, so I'm off to watch something starring David Suchet to cleanse my palate.

At first this movie had all the hallmarks of a decent little detective mystery movie in the style of Knives Out or Mourder on the Orient express. It has a decent set up, a coherent plot, it establishes its characters and starts to build on their motives.

Unfortunately, it then suffers from having a beginning, no middle and then ends. Why? Probably due to budget or talent or deadline. Who knows. But right until it had me hooked about an hour in, it started to move toward a conclusion and finished.

It's a shame. Micha Barton was a surprise and the set up was good, so, half a film. Still, better than no film at all.

Prepare yourself for a delightful whodunit experience that pays homage to Agatha Christie and brings a little depth to the genre. Invitation to a Murder unfolds on a mysterious island with an ensemble cast that feels like a bag of culturally diverse characters, adding an extra layer of charm to the classic murder mystery.

Donald Walker, played by Chris Browning, steals the spotlight with his portrayal of an arrogant yet witty character. By the end, you'll find yourself unexpectedly showing compassion for this complex individual after hearing of his sorrowful upbringing. Bianca A. Santos as Carmen Blanco brings an alluring (my weakness) and captivating energy to the mix. And who can forget Marrisa Cooper form the O. C, I mean Misha Barton as Miranda, who plays the Sherlock Holmes type role, but is well- balanced and not ridiculously over the top, although, she does come across as quite condescending.

The assortment of characters, including the genius, the cowboy, the wealthy, the lower class, the doctor, the suspicious foreigner, and the oh-so-typical English butler, creates a dynamic that keeps you guessing. The suspicious servants and the predictable yet intriguing mystery contribute to the overall homely storytelling.

What I did like was the story didn't follow traditional paths, and while yes there was a shiny, large inheritance at the end, no character is really chasing it, and so it isn't the major catalyst of the story. Invitation to a murder explores a more linear family history and therein lies more richer, and deeper storytelling.

Cinematography and backdrops are solid, with an alluring manor setting that occasionally reminds me of navigating through a much-loved video game "The Council". However, this isn't an action-packed thriller; instead, it offers a comfortable, laid-back atmosphere that suits a more family-oriented PG-rated whodunit style.

Comparisons to "Crooked House" may arise, but Invitation to a Murder stands out with its upgraded pacing, avoiding slow burns and dragging plotlines. While it may lack heart-stopping twists every few minutes, it compensates with more engaging and charming characters.

Is it a bit bland? Perhaps, but it's a deliberate choice for a cosy mystery that embraces its predictable elements. This film won't revolutionize the genre, but it offers a warm and fuzzy feeling, making it perfect for a laid-back movie night.

In conclusion, Invitation to a Murder is not your typical blockbuster; it's a charming and light-hearted mystery that will keep you entertained. So, grab your detective hat, settle in, and let the unravelling of this whodunit charm you with its simplicity.

6/10.

This movie was Agatha Christie on a budget but I still found it engaging. Fun to see Mischa Barton (The OC) again and she did an engaging job with her central character.

The plot was straightforward enough though certainly not original, it seemed to take from several other Agatha Christie stories and mash them together.

It seems like they are setting this up for a series starring Mischa Barton as the new female detective heroine and I would watch another one of these for sure. I'm a sucker for British murder mysteries and this was as good as many so why not?

Still 40 characters short, the review length criteria is too long on IMDB.