A HAUNTING IN VENICE (2023) **1/2 Kenneth Branagh, Tina Fey, Michelle Yeoh, Kelly Reilly, Riccardo Scamarcio, Emma Laird, Ali Khan, Kyle Allen, Camille Cottin, Jamie Dornan, Jude Hill. Third time's the charm with Branagh reprising his franchise role of Agatha Christie's sleuth Hercule Peroit (as well as helmsman) this time in a reclusive self-retirement to be coerced by his friend, author Fey, to a Halloween party to solve the possible murder of a young girl only to find yet another death in her wake that evening. While Michael Green's competent screenplay keeps things lively with a supernatural tinge undercurrent the proceedings are a bit stiff with an underwhelming supporting cast largely bland and forgettable. Gorgeous and haunting cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos and John Paul Kelly's atmospheric production design are the true stand-outs for the film itself.
Review of A Haunting in Venice
