Movies

Two new mysteries show the tariff-proof resilience of Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie

BBG News

Despite a past conflict that protected the American colonies from the capricious rule of a king – which brought about temporary success – we have been assimilating British cultural elements ever since: their pop music, fish ‘n’ chips, miniskirts, Mohawks, and above all, their intriguing mystery narratives.

In a class of its own, separate from the rough, homegrown genre, this literary dynasty is led by Arthur Conan Doyle and Agatha Christie. Known to all but the most obscure, these two luminaries are the royal pair of this captivating realm.

Conan Doyle: The mastermind behind Sherlock Holmes, the archetype for every enigmatic detective that followed, he is a blend of an eccentric personality, keen observation skills, vast knowledge in seemingly irrelevant facts, and computational intellect – reminiscent of a giant supercomputer.

Christie: A mistress of the country house mystery, she excelled at setting the stage for the grand reveal when all suspects are gathered in one room, while her detectives – most notably the meticulous Belgian expatriate Hercule Poirot and the seemingly innocent Miss Marple – offer insight into the criminal’s identity and the method of their demise. Together, these authors account for 95% of the intricate plot twists and murder techniques you will find in any mystery story.

For quite some time, British mystery TV series imported into our country were primarily aired on public television, providing both a niche market and a substantial part of their programming. However, today we see entire streaming channels dedicated to them, along with numerous other platforms and networks thirsty for content. On this particular day, two new series will debut: the adaptation of Christie’s work titled “Towards Zero” on BritBox, and an original Holmes adventure called “Sherlock & Daughter” on the CW.

Over the years, Sherlock Holmes has been extensively reimagined and spoofed in various literary works and film adaptations – I’d guess there are hundreds, though I won’t be counting them. Notable authors like Stephen King, Philip José Farmer, Michael Chabon, and Anthony Burgess have put their unique spin on him. He was portrayed by Basil Rathbone battling Nazis during World War II, teamed up with Sigmund Freud in Nicholas Meyer’s “The Seven-Per-Cent Solution”, and more recently, he dashed through the modern cityscape of 21st-century London as played by Benedict Cumberbatch.

Under the direction of Brendan Foley and James Duff (“The Closer”), “Sherlock & Daughter” aligns with the CW’s tradition of female-centric genre series. In this rendition, David Thewlis portrays Sherlock, but he co-stars alongside Blu Hunt as Amelia Rojas, a woman from California who moved following her mother’s murder. Amelia’s late mother had hinted that Sherlock was her father, and the show’s title suggests this might be true. Amelia’s keen eye for detail and problem-solving abilities, reminiscent of Sherlock, further support this theory.

221B Baker Street now appears quite different from its past days. I can’t find Dr. Watson or Mrs. Hudson anywhere. There’s also no trace of Clara, the American ambassador’s daughter, who had befriended Amelia on their journey to England but mysteriously vanished from her bed. Who is Lady Violet (Fiona Glascott), the woman always seen near Clara? What’s behind the stiff performances by American actors when portraying 19th-century characters, while British ones seem so natural? Why does Clara’s father (Phillip P. Keene) come off as rather unpleasant? The red thread and the finger in the box – do they connect to Prof. Moriarty (Dougray Scott)? And why is Holmes hesitant about delving into this case?

Amelia makes her way into the Holmes residence, using the service entrance – a twist on the usual 221B – due to the recent tragic incident involving the scullery maid, she’s offered the vacant position. Her boldness from the West, knack for deduction, keen nose for tobacco, and the detective’s requirement for an associate make her his assistant. However, he remains skeptical about her origin story, but over time, he develops a protective feeling towards her, in his unique Holmesian manner: “It’s peculiar how your safety becomes a distraction.” She often defies his rules and disobeys commands – these appear as italicized captions on the screen – and he gets annoyed, just like any father would. (“If you don’t open this door immediately, I will break it down.”) Yet, she proves her worth.

Thewlis, with his distinctive physique and sharp features, plays a compelling Holmes, offering a mix of acidity and humor. Hunt manages to keep pace as his complex sidekick. While the storyline may not be entirely coherent due to only having access to half of the eight-episode series for review, this is common in many mysteries. However, it’s engaging scene by scene.

Since Agatha Christie’s estate tightly guards the trademarks of characters like Marple and Poirot, no new stories have been written; instead, existing tales are frequently remade, sometimes staying true to the original, other times veering quite far from it. Older adaptations generally maintain a comfortable atmosphere, whereas modern ones tend to be grittier, reducing the romantic and comedic elements. The latest adaptation, “Toward Zero,” directed by Sam Yates who is also co-creator and director of “Vanya” and Andrew Scott’s one-man “Uncle Vanya,” currently a popular play in NYC, strays significantly from the original. It doesn’t feature either Marple or Poirot, although a version starring Geraldine McEwan as Marple was filmed in 2007. In this adaptation, the detective is Inspector Leach, a combination of characters from the book, who is an unkempt, depressed alcoholic that one might question why he hasn’t been suspended. Matthew Rhys portrays Inspector Leach, with Anjelica Huston being another notable cast member in the series.

The protagonist of the tale is tennis player Neville Strange (played by Oliver Jackson-Cohen), who has just tied the knot with Kay (Mimi Keene). Instead of their anticipated honeymoon under the Greek sun, they find themselves being transported to the gloomy Devon mansion owned by Lady Tressilian, a woman whose late husband was Neville’s guardian. To add to the intrigue, Neville’s former spouse, Audrey (Ella Lily Hyland), is also present, making for an interesting contrast as Kay is brunette and Audrey is blonde. Other guests at the estate include Lady Tressilian’s family lawyer, Mr. Treves (Clarke Peters); his ward, Sylvia (Grace Doherty), a troubled orphan with a tendency to steal; Tom (Jack Farthing), a mysterious wild card who has returned from Malaysia following the affectionate urgings of his pen pal, Mary (Anjana Vasan); Neville’s imposing valet (Adam Hugill); and a Frenchman (Khalil Ben Gharbia) whom Kay encounters at a nearby hotel, where the guests occasionally retreat for a change of scenery, nightlife, and mind games that are both seductive and intoxicating. Readers of the original work may not recognize all these alterations, but the fundamental narrative remains largely intact.

The narrative moves forward, revolving around conventional enigmas – who’s reliable, who meets an untimely end, and whodunit, with the ‘why’ often taking a backseat. Adapter Rachel Bennette leaves some doubt in your mind – if you relish mystery stories, you might find yourself engrossed in “Towards Zero: The Home Game.” Of course, it’s all part of the manipulation to keep you engaged, even as the characters may grow tiresome after many hours.

The primary reasons drawing a substantial crowd, aside from it being another Christie adaptation, are the performances of Huston, who exudes a subtle yet commanding grandeur in her role, and Rhys, who embodies the epitome of hangdog dejection. Additionally, there’s an unexpectedly delightful conclusion, even more joyous than expected – a bonus happy ending that will undoubtedly exceed your anticipations.

Read More

2025-04-16 13:31

Previous post Shiba Inu’s Fiery Fumble: Why The Burn’s Hotter In Talk Than Action
Next post Elden Ring Nightreign Trailer Showcases New Raider Character