See How They Run

A whodunnit set within a whodunnit? Now that’s a nifty multi-versal idea and one nailed with aplomb by See How They Run, the debut Directorial feature from Tom George.

A fictionalised tale in a real setting; the proposed Director for a film adaptation of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap is mysteriously killed at a party celebrating the play’s 100th performance in 1950’s London.

What follows is at once murder mystery, spoof and comedy that doesn’t baffle the audience and flits light as a ballerina as we follow world-weary Sam Rockwell and enthusiastic Saoirse Ronan’s investigating officers interrogate the suspects.

It’s brilliantly funny whilst never letting the humour distract from the mystery at hand or lightening proceedings too much. It’ll keep you guessing and interested until the final reveal, which loses a little in being particularly hard to guess, but makes sense given the overall narrative.

A well-stacked cast (why do murder mysteries always deliver big actors in small roles?!) clearly relish every moment, all one-upping each other with references galore. All have motive for the killing and all tow the line between innocence and guilt just so.

It’s a brilliant treat, well made, zippy and perfect night-in fodder. Far superior to the actual recent Christie adaptations of Murder On The Orient Express and Death On The Nile and, for me, just pipping Knives Out to be the best whodunnit of recent times.

4 stars ****