On M List of Movie Reviews

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Murder Is Easy (1982)

Rate: 6
Viewed: 10/12, 7/25

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10/12: The Incredible Hulk does the incredible in Murder Is Easy: solve a murder mystery by getting lucky despite getting everything wrong.

I suppose there are two aspects the film has going for it to overcome the meandering script: the English cinematography and Lesley-Anne Down's incomparable beauty. The performances are fine, but Olivia de Havilland overacts, especially toward the end. I solved the mystery right from the outset as soon as I saw one of the characters appearing the least likely to be a suspect. Hence, the ending didn't surprise me although the plot is convoluted.

Worse is the idea of Bill Bixby playing professor of mathematics who specializes in probability. Hell, look at the rubbish computer program he used to "solve" the case. There's no reason for him to be involved. Leave that to the professionals. It's what they're trained for. No matter what everybody said, the professor was being lied to.

Not to be missed is the big catfight between Olivia de Havilland's and Lesley-Anne Down's characters. It's a hoot. Notice how the doctor sampled the drug by tasting it. Suppose it's fatal? What a stupid man. I got to love the dark gloves Olivia de Havilland had on to give her character away in the most obvious manner.

All in all, Murder Is Easy is an okay murder mystery picture.

7/25: The clue was given away in the first ten minutes when Helen Hayes said, "You see, the person in question is just the last person anyone would suspect. And so long as no one suspects you, murder is easy."

After everybody had been lined up, I quickly pointed out Olivia de Havilland, and ergo! Mystery solved very, very, very early. Had anyone seen Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte? Prior to that, Helen Hayes' character died; talk about getting rid of the goose that lays the golden eggs so early. Imagine doing the same to Albert Finney or Peter Ustinov.

The most laughable aspect, apart from the catfight between Lesley-Anne Down and Olivia de Havilland, is Bill Bixby. He's the worst amateur sleuth in a long while, getting absolutely nothing right. How is it possible that he's granted access to all suspects and their premises and that they'll talk to him so freely? He isn't even English but an American. By the way, where was the police the entire time, especially when the bodies kept piling up? Worse, what did Lesley-Anne Down see in Bill Bixby? He's way too old for her. They're twenty years apart in age.

All in all, Murder Is Easy is silly, but Lesley-Anne Down saves it, thanks to her beauty.