Sleuth (1972)
It’s really best if you know absolutely nothing about the plot before watching Sleuth. It’s also really best if you watch the original before the remake, if you do decide to torture yourself with the remake. And most of all, it’s best if you see Anthony Shaffer’s play onstage before either of the films. My mom saw the play in San Francisco, and I’ll never forget her story of how exciting it was. Seeing Sleuth onstage was an experience, she always said. The film just isn’t the same.
Both Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine were nominated for Best Actor at the 1972 Oscars, and while both are tour-de-force parts, the film could have been better with a different cast. Laurence Olivier always tries his very best, and while he does show the wheels turning in his head as well as the excitement that makes him feel alive and virile the more games he plays, I would argue that he was miscast. His character is supposed to have wealth and class, but be so impassioned (by everything except games) that his wife believably turns to another man. Laurence Olivier comes across as having any number of attractive qualities, including sensitivity, intelligence, and care. Also, he’s still a handsome man. I mean no offense to this great actor, but Ralph Richardson would have been a far better casting choice. He can come across as being cold and unfeeling—and he didn’t once play Heathcliff.
Speaking of miscast, Michael Caine is supposed to be Italian? No one ever accused him of coming across as anything other than low-class, but in this movie, he doesn’t show the audience any qualities that would reasonably explain why Mrs. Olivier would choose him for her paramour. The original choice was Alan Bates, who would have been much better. Bates famously turned the role down after walking out of the Broadway production prematurely. Unlike Caine, Bates is able to pull of low- and high-class roles, which would make him more of a threat to Olivier’s character. Another great choice would have been Terence Stamp, who, in turn, famously turned Alfie over to Caine on a silver platter after he’d played the role onstage.
Joe Mankiewicz’s direction was very odd, splicing in close-ups of objects around the house in the middle of long shots that were meant to immerse audiences in the tense dialogue. It was jarring and added nothing to the story. John Addison obviously got his wires crossed and believed he was scoring music for Murder by Death, Without a Clue, or some other spoof. His music had no place in an intense drama, and if I’m being kind, I’ll say it was distracting.
Fans of either of the main leads will probably want to rent this classic, and since you didn’t grow up hearing my mom’s story, you won’t be nearly as disappointed in it as I was (especially if you aren’t thinking of who else could have played the parts better). At the very least you’ll get to watch some good acting, but be forewarned: I had nightmares after I watched it!
Kiddy warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence and some frightening images, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Michael Caine movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2007's Sleuth here!
Both Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine were nominated for Best Actor at the 1972 Oscars, and while both are tour-de-force parts, the film could have been better with a different cast. Laurence Olivier always tries his very best, and while he does show the wheels turning in his head as well as the excitement that makes him feel alive and virile the more games he plays, I would argue that he was miscast. His character is supposed to have wealth and class, but be so impassioned (by everything except games) that his wife believably turns to another man. Laurence Olivier comes across as having any number of attractive qualities, including sensitivity, intelligence, and care. Also, he’s still a handsome man. I mean no offense to this great actor, but Ralph Richardson would have been a far better casting choice. He can come across as being cold and unfeeling—and he didn’t once play Heathcliff.
Speaking of miscast, Michael Caine is supposed to be Italian? No one ever accused him of coming across as anything other than low-class, but in this movie, he doesn’t show the audience any qualities that would reasonably explain why Mrs. Olivier would choose him for her paramour. The original choice was Alan Bates, who would have been much better. Bates famously turned the role down after walking out of the Broadway production prematurely. Unlike Caine, Bates is able to pull of low- and high-class roles, which would make him more of a threat to Olivier’s character. Another great choice would have been Terence Stamp, who, in turn, famously turned Alfie over to Caine on a silver platter after he’d played the role onstage.
Joe Mankiewicz’s direction was very odd, splicing in close-ups of objects around the house in the middle of long shots that were meant to immerse audiences in the tense dialogue. It was jarring and added nothing to the story. John Addison obviously got his wires crossed and believed he was scoring music for Murder by Death, Without a Clue, or some other spoof. His music had no place in an intense drama, and if I’m being kind, I’ll say it was distracting.
Fans of either of the main leads will probably want to rent this classic, and since you didn’t grow up hearing my mom’s story, you won’t be nearly as disappointed in it as I was (especially if you aren’t thinking of who else could have played the parts better). At the very least you’ll get to watch some good acting, but be forewarned: I had nightmares after I watched it!
Kiddy warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence and some frightening images, I wouldn’t let my kids watch it.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Juhi Thaker" for posting!
More Michael Caine movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 2007's Sleuth here!
Hot Toasty Rag Nominations:
Best Actor of 1972: Michael Caine
Best Actor: The Esteemed Sir Laurence Olivier