Runtime: 138 magical minutes
Directed by: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Starring: Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine
From: Palomar Pictures International
Sleuth was in fact a great way to celebrate Michael Caine’s 90th birthday yesterday. I’ve never disliked one of his performances no matter the quality of the movie he was in. That even goes for admitted paycheck roles like The Swarm and (especially) Jaws: The Revenge. As much as I don’t care for most of Christopher Nolan’s movies, one positive aspect is that many people even today are familiar with a great actor like him.
Recently, someone I follow on Letterboxd reviewed this and noted its presence on YouTube in acceptable quality. As that’s the best way to see Sleuth now-more on that at the end-there was no better time for a viewing. The fact that it could vanish at any time on a channel which has some relatively popular pictures is another factor but of course a birthday celebration was perfect.
Laurence Olivier is a successful author who invites Michael Caine to his sprawling rural estate, featuring a house full of games & bric-a-brac; turns out, Caine is the lover of Olivier’s wife. He knows this, and… to reveal much more would be a crime. In fact, the tagline on the film’s Letterboxd page contains a massive spoiler. Instead, I will be vague the rest of the way; the movie is rather obviously based on a stage play, which wasn’t a negative. The movie is all about the two leads and as expected, both were excellent in their roles.
Sleuth is not about the believability of the plot or what happens. Rather, it’s the fun the viewer has in watching two great performers do their thing along with trying to decipher what is going on and what turn the plot will take. Also, what an incredible script from Anthony Shaffer, adapting his own play—just for the acres of unforgettable, memorable dialogue full of creativity. Olivier proclaiming himself “a sexual Olympic athlete” is far from the best turn of phrase but it was the one which made me laugh the hardest. Oh yes, there are also dark humorous moments, along with some rather peculiar ones.
Of course this has a remake which I understand is far inferior to the original yet that’s the one easy to find; AFAIK none of the words from Shaffer’s script appear in the remake, so that’s one reason for me to avoid. As for why this version of the play is impossible to find in good quality anywhere-let alone legally stream-is the dreaded “legal disputes” which has prevented a proper release in high quality. Now that is clownshoes ridiculous… on the other side of the coin it can be accessed for free on YouTube for everyone. Don’t let the 138 minute runtime turn you off; at least IMO the long investment is well worth it. As this was the final film of Joseph L. Mankiewicz, Sleuth has to be one of the best director’s finales there ever has been.
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