I feel confident in saying that this is my favorite movie of 2019.
“Knives Out” is a murder-mystery “whodunit” written and directed by Rian Johnson.
My thoughts on films can and do change over time; I’m looking at you, “It Chapter Two.” Sometimes though you just know, and with “Knives Out,” I know that this is cinematic greatness.
This film is difficult to talk about without giving away spoilers. So, I’ll just say in very general terms, this movie rules on every level.
The heavy-hitting ensemble cast includes Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis, Michael Shannon… breath… Don Johnson, Toni Collette, Lakeith Stanfield, Katherine Langford, Jaeden Martell, and Christopher Plummer.
The acting is great; Plummer, in particular, gives a very weighty performance as Harlan Thrombey, the catalyst of the mystery.
Ana de Armas, an actress who has impressed before, absolutely crushes her role in this film. We see so much range in her performance.
Johnson’s script is also a strong point for the film. Masterfully, Johnson is able to weave a narrative that balances stakes with whimsy. He somehow makes a murder-mystery feel lighthearted while still creating clear and present stakes for the characters.
A certain character in particular becomes the focal point of the mystery in a way that could ruin not only their own life, but their family’s lives as well. This tension is handled well while not bogging the movie down into a more serious work.
Another actor is given a fresh role that isn’t anything like he’s most famous for. A brown coat makes an appearance in this film as well, which in turn prompted me to add it to my wish list. It’s truly one of the greatest ‘film ‘fits’ of all time.
All I can say is that it’s a fun time at the cinema and it would not be a waste of time or money to go see this film. Every scene matters in this film, so the two-hour run time is rather smooth and ultimately rewarding.
As a viewer, you can feel the love and dedication that was put into this project.
I don’t do the typical star ratings for movies but for certain films that are just top quality, I’m willing to make an exception. “Knives Out” is a five-star film, with high probability for a Blu-ray purchase in the future.
