On A List of Movie Reviews
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Agatha (1979)
Rate:
6
Viewed:
1/17, 3/22
1/17:
Agatha Christie, the famous mystery writer, disappeared for eleven days in December of 1926.
No explanation was ever offered. Hence, Agatha presents a theory of what might have happened. The project
started out as a documentary for BBC, but the more Kathleen Tynan uncovered the details of the story, the more
feasible it was for producer David Puttnam to green-light the transition to a full-length feature film. The
Agatha Christie estate was against the whole thing and tried to have it stopped.
First of all, it's a sumptuous-looking picture. The cinematography is beautiful which was handled by Vittorio
Storaro who ended up winning the Oscar for Apocalypse Now during the
same year. The costumes and the in/exterior sets are first-rate. As a result, the first category netted Shirley
Russell an Oscar nomination.
Vanessa Redgrave is perfect for the role, nailing it well to fit the period of time. She makes the movie work by
complementing the photography. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for Dustin Hoffman. As a great actor
as he is, he's simply miscast, often looking stiff and inflexible. Also, he has no chemistry with Vanessa
Redgrave. There's an awkward dance scene that shows her towering over him.
Interestingly, Timothy Dalton gives one of the better performances I can recall from him. He was awful in
two James Bond pictures, but what he did in Agatha is infinitely better. At the time, Timothy Dalton
was in a serious relationship with Vanessa Redgrave which lasted from 1971 to 1986.
Although it's a nice history lesson, the story about the author isn't interesting to follow. The pace is glacial,
and by the time things become clear, it's too late. Then, the movie ends. All of it can be attributed to Dustin
Hoffman for being too difficult on the set, causing many rewrites and letting the film run over budget and schedule.
All in all, having a more developed story while cutting out Dustin Hoffman, Agatha would've been better.
3/22:
Agatha somewhat works but doesn't succeed on the whole.
Straight off the bat, the photography by Vittorio Storaro is spectacular and therefore Oscar-worthy. It's what
sustains the film throughout. But the sole nomination went to Shirley Russell for Best Costume Design. To be fair,
Vittorio Storaro got his for Apocalypse Now during the same year.
Then, there's the mystery of Agatha Christie's disappearance for eleven days (December 3-14, 1926). Nobody knows
to this day what happened or why. The film only presents a theory. One plausible explanation is the famed author
was so frugal that it alienated her husband to the point of initiating an affair with his 25-year-old secretary
Nancy Neele whom he would later marry. But most likely, Agatha Christie took the time to re-evaluate herself and
the marriage. There may have been a plan in place to embarrass her husband at the same time in the hopes of
getting him back.
The abandoned car with Agatha Christie's clothes left in the back seat did happen. Also, the lake was dragged, and
over 15,000 police officers and volunteeers searched the countryside for her body and whatever else. It was the
largest manhunt in UK history with airplanes being utilized for the first time ever. Arthur Conan Doyle once gave
a clairvoyant a pair of Agatha Christie's gloves to find out her whereabouts.
Agatha Christie did stay at the Old Swan Hotel of Harrogate under the name of Theresa Neele from Cape Town,
South Africa, and was finally discovered by her husband in the hotel dining room as she walked inside, took her
place at the table, and began reading the newspaper which headlined her disappearance. Afterwards, the public
reaction was largely negative, thinking the disappearance was a publicity stunt given the large amount of
resources that were wasted on her.
As for the film, the plot is thin. I'm torn as to whether Dustin Hoffman was okay or completely miscast. Either way,
his character is 100% fictional. Merely providing her looks, Vanessa Redgrave is no better. Their chemistry is nil.
However, the rest of the supporting cast including Timothy Dalton passes muster.
All in all, Agatha is a well-shot period picture that gets me in the mood despite the pointless drama.