I Ain't Down Yet: Murder by the Book, 1987

All month long, we're celebrating the Queen of Crime as she and her works appeared on screen, with a grand finale of five Murder on the Orient Expresses the first full week of November. Today, and all this week, we're looking at the main source of her bread and butter, the little Belgian himself, Hercule Poirot. We've discussed some of his big screen adventures, like The Alphabet Murders and Death on the Nile. Yesterday, we talked about the only series - anime, at that - to present a successful crossover of Poirot and Marple. Today, another crossover - that of fiction and reality! 

Murder by the Book (1987)

dir: Lawrence Gordon Clark

The Detective

Ian Holm as Hercule Poirot

The Victim

Ian Holm as Hercule Poirot

The Suspect

Peggy Ashcroft as Agatha Christie

With

Michael Aldredge as Edmond Cork

Dawn Archibald as Sally the Maid

John Atkinson as The Gardener

Richard Wilson as Sir Max Mallowan

With the outbreak of World War II, Christie was genuinely uncertain about her chance of survival. Besides that, after twenty years, she was equally uncertain about Poirot's longevity within popular culture. And so, in addition to a final Miss Marple mystery, she set about writing Poirot's final case, one which includes an assurance that this would undoubtedly, definitively, be the last word on Poirot: his death. Both final novels were tucked away in a vault, not to be published until after Dame Agatha's death. Christie wound up changing her mind, and Curtain: Poirot's Last Case was released in September 1975; four months later, Christie herself passed away, age 85.

Casting Coup Tuesdays: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

When a book becomes a worldwide bestseller, it's only natural that Hollywood comes sniffing around to see what all the fuss is about. When the same book becomes a hit foreign film, Hollywood knows it can have better results without subtitles. And when David Fincher takes an interest, greenlight that baby, man, greenlight that!

I've never read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. It's 600-plus page count is a little daunting, and I only tackle tomes like that once in a while (it's been four years since Atlas Shrugged, though that's admittedly longer). I have seen the highly-acclaimed Swedish film starring Noomi Rapace and directed by Niels Arden Oplev. There's much to admire about the film, like the story -- though that comes from the novel. And the lead actor, Michael Nyqvist, is pretty good. But otherwise, this is a film that needs a remake by a director as talented and amazing as David Fincher. It's pretty murky, it jumps around a lot, and it's almost irritatingly on the nose sometimes -- the original title in Sweden is Men Who Hate Women. So, yeah, I'd welcome a remake by someone dependable, subtle and clear-headed.

But I started hearing rumors of Brad Pitt, Kristen Stewart, Ellen Page, Natalie Portman...and all I could think was, "No, no, no, no, no!" Mr. Fincher, if I may interject here: I have some ideas of my own. One of these has been heavily rumored as well, but I want to point out that I had the idea first (my cousin and my roommate can confirm). Let my other brainstorms be known:

INTERESTED PARTIES

DRAGAN ARMANSKIJ

Who is He: Lisbeth's boss. He assigns her to get info on Mikael for the Vangers. So it's really his fault that she gets involved in the muckedy-muck.

Originally played by:

Michalis Koutsogiannakis (All It Takes is a Miracle, The Girl Who Played with Fire)

My Choice:

Peter Friedman (I Shot Andy Warhol, Someone Like You...)

Dragan only has one scene in the movie, but he's in the full trilogy. With a regular, you want someone dependable, one who could believably play a middle-aged bossman/father figure. Oh, hey-hey-hey, if it ain't Mr. Friedman, one of the best character actors working today!

ERIKA BERGER

Who is She: Mikael's editor and sometimes lover.

Originally played by:

Lena Endre (Jerusalem, Day and Night)

My Choice: Indie Spirit Winner for Best Supporting Actress (Lovely & Amazing)

Emily Mortimer (Shutter Island, Harry Brown)

Very awesome, talented actress, one I've watched with great interest since Scream 3. She looks great in a pants-suit, and I don't mean that like, "ooh, sexy", I mean that she seems smart and looks like a pro. So, if you need to cast someone as an attractive newspaper editor, why not get the great Mortimer?

NILS BJURMAN

Who is He: I think he's the parole officer in charge of Lisbeth Salander, though I guess in Sweden they call them "guardians". Nils is the new guy, one is not as understanding of Lisbeth as his predecessor. He is a grasping, corrupt, evil man who takes power over women through abuse and rape.

Originally played by:

Peter Andersson (Zero Tolerance, Mouth to Mouth)

My Choice:

Harry Enfield ("Harry Enfield and Chums", "Skins")

Though a comedian, in Marple: The Moving Finger, he showed a skeezier side. I guess that's all the reasoning I have. It feels right.

PLAGUE

Who is He: A tech wiz who helps Lisbeth with her computer hackery. I'm pretty sure. He's also fat.

Originally played by:

Tomas Kohler (The Love Life of a Fat Thief, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest)

My Choice:

Jorge Garcia (The Good Humor Man, Deck the Halls)

He's large and a good actor. And, come on, he's going to need the work now that "Lost" is over. Could do worse than a Fincher-directed remake of a hit series.

HANS-ERIK WENNERSTROM

Who is He: A corrupt businessman Michael investigates. Nothing to do with the main story, but gives the investigation a "ticking clock" to work against after Wennerstrom manages to get Mikael convicted of something or other.

Originally played by:

Stefan Sauk (At Point Blank, Dear Alice)

My Choice:

Zeljko Ivanek (Dogville, Live Free or Die Hard)

Have you seen "Damages"? He's AWESOME on that show.


THE WOMAN
Who is She: The one who can provide the most important clue of all.

Originally played by:

 Ewa Froling (Sally and Freedom, Fanny and Alexander)

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (The Contender) and Best Supporting Actress (Nixon, The Crucible), BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (The Crucible), Golden Globe Nominee for Best Actress in a Drama (The Contender) and Best Supporting Actress (The Crucible), Indie Spirit/SAG Award Nominee for Best Actress (The Contender), SAG Award Nominee for Best Actress and Best Ensemble (Nixon)

Joan Allen (Pleasantville, Bonneville)
It's a small but important role, so it needs an actress par excellence. An actress with great gravitas. An actress who can deliver a solid performance without vanity. Joan Allen.

THE FAMILY

DIRCH FRODE

Who is He: Vanger attorney and Henrik's friend. He's the one who gets Michael involved in the investigation of the forty-year-old disappearance of then-teenager Harriet Vanger.

Originally played by:

Ingvar Hirdwall (Let's Play House, Daybreak)

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Chariots of Fire), BAFTA Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor (The Bofors Gun, Chariots of Fire), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King)

Ian Holm (Henry V, Lord of War)

And now we get to the all-star aspect. Older gentleman, a real trustworthy type.


CECILIA VANGER
Who is She: Daughter of old hermit Harald Vanger, niece to Henrik, cousin of the missing Harriet.
Cecilia was close with Harriet, and the two of them briefly looked after Mikael. She seems to be attracted to Mikael, but he does not respond.

Originally played by:

Marika Lagercrantz (All Things Fair, I Wonder Who's Kissing You Now)

My Choice:

Kim Cattrall (Mannequin, The Bonfire of the Vanities)
I really liked her in The Ghost Writer. She's another well-known yet non-distracting actress. Right age and right talent.


HARRIET VANGER
Who is She: The sixteen-year-old favorite niece of Henrik who disappeared mysteriously forty years ago.

Originally played by:

Julia Sporre

My Choice: Indie Spirit Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (That Evening Sun)

Mia Wasikowksa (Defiance, Amelia)
Yeah, she'll do.


HENRIK VANGER
Who is He: The patriarch of the Vanger clan, he unofficially reopens the investigation behind the disappearance of his favorite niece. Henrik is a kind, old man, and the only one of his brothers not completely in love with Nazis. Now retired, he was the CEO of the Vanger Corporation.

Originally played by:

Sven-Bertil Taube (Jerusalem, London Voodoo)

My Choice: Academy Award/Golden Globe/Indie Spirit/SAG Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (The Last Station), SAG Award Nominee for Best Ensemble (A Beautiful Mind)

Christopher Plummer (The Sound of Music, Dreamscape)
When I saw the movie, I immediately thought of Holm, my two leads, and Plummer. Plummer can play the controlled emotions. He can play the great grief in the private moments. He's an old pro, but he's in great shape.


MARTIN VANGER
Who is He: Current president of the Vanger Corporation. Harriet's brother. He and Mikael warm to each other, and he tries to get the other family members to cooperate.

Originally played by:

Peter Haber (Sommarmord, All It Takes is a Miracle)

My Choice: Golden Globe Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Far From Heaven), Indie Spirit Winner for Best Actor (The Big Easy) and Best Supporting Actor (Far From Heaven), SAG Award Winner for Best Ensemble (Traffic)

Dennis Quaid (Dreamscape, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra)
A guy who always rocks when he stretches, and this role would put him through the wringer. And hell, I would see anything he's in.


THE SLEUTHS

MIKAEL BLOMKVIST
Who is He: Journalist for, and publisher of, Millenium. He gets into trouble after investigating corrupt tycoon Hans-Erik Wennerstrom. Now he finds himself sleuthing alongside Lisbeth when Henrik asks him to find the truth behind a forty-year-old disappearance.

Originally played by:

Michael Nyqvist (Day and Night, London Voodoo)

My Choice: BAFTA Award Nominee for Best Actor (Casino Royale), Indie Spirit Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Infamous)

Daniel Craig (The Mother, The Invasion)
He's got what Mikael needs: smart, middle-aged, and sexy. Not ridiculously sexy, but you can understand why ladies would go for him. He's an action star and a dramatic actor, meaning you're going to get a great performance no matter what he's doing.


LISBETH SALANDER
Who is She: Bisexual computer hacker with a dark past. She helps Mikael find the truth behind Harriet's disappearance.

Originally played by:

Noomi Rapace (Bloodbrothers, Daisy Diamond)

My Choice:

Olivia Thirlby (Juno, Breaking Upwards)
Hear this. She's age-appropriate, but it wouldn't be creepy if she hooked up with Daniel Craig. She's beautiful, but you could totally see her doing the bad-ass thing without looking strange or acting mannered. And she's a phenomenal actress. She'd be my perfect Lisbeth Salander.

Chariots of Fire

My grandfather told me Chariots of Fire was a must-see movie. He and a number of other relatives urged me to obtain a copy and watch it, as it is wonderfully inspiring and spiritual and wow, what a film!



Well, I watched it. And it is an inspiring film, yes. And yes, the protagonists are a Jewish guy with a chip on his shoulder and a religious missionary, so I guess there is a spiritual side to it. Especially as two runners fall while the missionary is giving a Special Guest Sermon about pride and whatnot. It is a nice movie, certainly, with some great performances, especially by Ian Holm as a coach and Ian Charleson as the missionary and Alice Krige as the Jew's girlfriend.

But you know something? I don't remember anybody's name, except the American runner, Scholz. And he doesn't even show up until the last third of the film. Now, I know, the movie was good, and so what if I can't remember the names, etc. But if I didn't even try to commit them to memory, it tells me one thing: I didn't care. Like, it was delightful to watch, sure, but I didn't care.

I blame the director. His pacing felt a mite off. And I didn't really understand why we see the results of one race, followed by a slo-mo replay of the same race. What is this, House of the Dead? The editing and the sound were both bizarre, too. People speak when they're not on-screen, only to appear for a "reveal", but by the time that happens, they're done talking and I no longer care. The music at the end is off: one song cue ends, the scene is still going, so another cue comes in -- with a silence in between that is just awkward.And the damn slow-mo.

But hey, it has a kick-ass score by Vangelis that is distracting as hell. Synth against a 1920s setting? Interesting choice.

Go ahead and rent it. You could do a lot worse. It's a good movie with some great performances, but on the whole, it's a rather ho-hum affair. Ian Holm definitely earned his Oscar nomination, though.

(I see now that the Jew is Abrahams and the missionary is Liddell. And I still don't care. I really love Alice Krige in this, though.)

Casting Coup: A Season in Purgatory

Wow, okay, so get ready for this.

Dominick Dunne is a popular author of not-quite-fiction. Liberties are taken, names are changed, new characters and situations are introduced. It's all for naught--he means for people to know who the hell he's talking about. It's thinly veiled non-fiction, and since he always focuses on murders among the rich and privileged, it makes it that much juicier. Seriously, the man wrote eight books, only two of which are labeled "non-fiction", but everyone knows the real stories...

Take, for instance, the subject for this week's CCT. A Season in Purgatory focuses on the Bradley clan, a wealthy Irish-Catholic family looked down on by the WASP elite. The sons are all primed for success and politics, with the dashing Constant Bradley holding their greatest hopes. Constant befriends young Harrison Burns, an aspiring author orphaned by his parents' murder. He becomes a pseudo-son in the Bradley household, a position that proves to be none-too desirable when a local girl is murdered with a bat, her blood on Constant's clothes. Harrison helps the family cover up the murder, with the women blissfully unaware (or willingly ignorant).

Fifteen years later (the bulk of the tale), Harrison is a popular author of non-fiction books concerning crime and justice. While researching a new novel of his, he meets up with Constant's sister, Kitt. The two begin an affair, and the combination of this and the subject of his latest book lead him to turning in Constant to the authorities. A magnificent trial starts, and who knows what happens afterward?

There are similarities, of course, to the Michael Skakel case. Skakel is a distant relative of the Kennedys, the well-known Irish-Catholic family with political pursuits. In 1975, Martha Moxley was murdered with a golf club that belonged to the Skakel family. The case remained unsolved until a little over fifteen years later, when new details emerged with the rape trial of cousin William Kennedy Smith. Skakel was indicted in 2000, tried in 2002, and found guilty. He and his family still protest his innocence, and the appeals continue.

A Season in Purgatory is different, though. There is no doubt as to who the murderer is, no question as to the truth. The trial itself is a media circus, with a whizz-bang ending that will leave you open-mouthed in shock. Highly recommended reading. And if you do, see if you agree with this Casting Coup of thirty (!).


FRUITY SUAREZ
Who is He: A former schoolmate of Constant and Harrison's, Fruity was kicked out due to inappropriate conduct with one of the coaches. He knows a thing or two about the wrath of Constant Bradley--he even has a cousin who Constant beat up when he couldn't get it up for her. Fruity suspects Harrison's secret, and encourages him to act.

My Choice:

Jacob Vargas (Bobby)


GUS BAILEY
Who is He: A local reporter who first breaks the Utley case. He never leaves it alone, and eventually it is he who breaks the re-opening of the case. He first casts suspicions in Constant's direction.

My Choice:

Ray McKinnon (O Brother, Where Art Thou?)


CAPTAIN RIORDAN
Who is He: The investigating officer. He knows Harrison has a secret, but what? He also happens to be friends with Cardinal Sullivan, a friend of the Bradleys.

My Choice:

Richard Jenkins (The Visitor, Rumor Has It...)


DR. SHUGRUE
Who is He: The Headmaster of the school Harrison and Constant attend. He freely accepts gifts from the Bradley family in exchange for a pass to the troublesome Constant. He believes Harrison's soul is in danger.

My Choice:

Bud Cort (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, Harold & Maude)


LUANNE UTLEY
Who is She: The mother of the dead girl. She, too, suspects Constant, but has no proof. The trial gives her some closure, thankfully.

My Choice: Hollmann Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actress (Infamous)

Hope Davis (American Splendor, Charlie Bartlett)


AUNT GERT
Who is She: Harrison's aunt, a poorer relation devoted to mission work. She distrusts the Bradleys, and later ends up in a nursing home.

My Choice:

Lois Smith (Hollywoodland, Minority Report)


CLAIRE LAFFERTY
Who is She: Harrison's wife, an older woman from whom he is separated when he meets Kitt again.

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (Little Women) and Supporting Actress (The Age of Innocence)

Winona Ryder (The Ten, Heathers)


RUPERT DI PITHON
Who is He: He used to be the center of everyone's social circle. Having alienated his friends by divulging too many secrets, however, he is desperate to please when Harrison shows up to research his new book.

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (Chariots of Fire)

Ian Holm (From Hell, Alien)


ELOISE BRAZEN
Who is She: Rupert's realtor, she also happens to be the woman Gerald Bradley was sleeping with the night Winifred Utley was murdered. She would like to sleep with Gerald's son Constant, too, whether he bought her dinner or not.

My Choice:

Demi Moore (Ghost, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle)


MAXINE LONERGAN
Who is She: A former high-priced Lady of the Night who happens to know both Gerald Bradley and his inner circle. Harrison meets her while researching his latest book, as she's the mother of the victim.

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Song (Nine to Five, Transamerica)

Dolly Parton (Straight Talk, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas)


ESME BLAND
Who is She: The subject of Harrison's latest work. Esme murdered her father's gigolo when he blackmailed her. Admitted to an upscale asylum, she convinces Harrison to reveal his secret. She lives next to the Bradley daughter no one speaks of, the one who thinks she's a nun. Creepy.

My Choice: Academy Award Winner for Best Actress (Coal Miner's Daughter)

Sissy Spacek (JFK, Blast from the Past)


CARDINAL SULLIVAN
Who is He: The Bradleys are devoted Catholics, especially the mother. Sullivan is her personal priest.

My Choice:

Henry Gibson (A Perfect Couple, Luck of the Irish)


SIMS LORD
Who is He: Gerald Bradley's lawyer. It's not enough that he handles all of Gerald's business affairs. He also conspires with the men to cover up the murder of Winifred Utley.

My Choice:

Paul Kaye (Marple: The Sittaford Mystery)


VALERIE SABBATH
Who is She: The high-priced defense attorney that handles Constant's trial. A ball-busting, cussing, aggressive lady, she's never lost a case. Obviously, it does not matter to her whether her client's guilty or not, just whether or not she wins the case.

My Choice:

Rosie O'Donnell (The Flintstones, A League of Their Own)


SALLY STEERS
Who is She: Decorator to the rich and famous! Bradley keeps her on for a number of years, even elevating her to level of mistress. When she is tossed aside, she warns Harrison against the family--a family he heeds too late.

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress (Aliens) and Supporting Actress (Working Girl)

Sigourney Weaver (Infamous, Vantage Point)


JOHNNY FUSELLI
Who is He: Gerald Bradley's personal cleaner. Not like dishes or clothes, but crimes and murders. Connected to the Mob (and to Maxine Lonergan), Johnny destroys the evidence connecting Constant to Winifred Utley's murder. But he's no murderer himself, and fails when ordered to kill Harrison.

Who is He: Academy Award Nominee for Best Supporting Actor (The Godfather: Part III)

Johnny Fuselli (Dead Again, Smokin' Aces)


BRIDEY
Who is She: Loyal cook to the Bradley family, Bridey is a devout Irish Catholic with a fierce loyalty to her masters. She sees Constant and Harrison in the kitchen the night of the murder, but will she tell the truth when called on to testify?

My Choice: Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress (My Left Foot)

Brenda Fricker (Angels in the Outfield)


SIS MALLOY
Who is She: The plain, poor cousin of the Bradley family. Sis is looked down upon byt he rest of the family, eventually ordered to serve as nurse when one of the clan falls ill.

My Choice:

Elisabeth Moss (The West Wing, Mad Men)


FATTY MALLOY
Who is He: Sis's brother, more in touch with his common roots than Sis. Verbally abused by his cousins as children, Fatty remains his own man, opting to work at a grocery store instead of accepting favors from the Bradleys. He secretly befriends Harrison during the trial.

My Choice:

Patton Oswalt (Ratatouille, Magnolia)


MARY PAT BRADLEY
Who is She: One of the Bradley sisters, she churns out kids like it's going out of style. She shares her mother's religious devotion, as well as the tendency to condemn those who don't adhere to her rules.

My Choice:

Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)


SENATOR SANDRO BRADLEY
Who is He: The first son to wield power in politics.

My Choice:

Neil Patrick Harris (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, How I Met Your Mother, Old Spice ads)


CHARLOTTE BRADLEY
Who is She: Constant's wife. She knows all about Constant's affairs and woman-beating, and even considers divorce. Then the trial happens, and she stays on as the loyal wife, for a price.

My Choice:

Elizabeth Banks (Definitely, Maybe, W.)


MAUREEN BRADLEY
Who is She: The oldest Bradley daughter, she takes control during the trial, planning seating, statements, etc. She butts heads with Valerie often.

My Choice:

Drew Barrymore (Cat's Eye, Home Fries)


DR. DESMOND BRADLEY
Who is She: One-time rebel, he married one of the maids before his parents had it annulled. Now a successful surgeon, Desmond drugs Harrison after Winifred's body is discovered.

My Choice:

Simon Baker (Sex and Death 101, The Devil Wears Prada)


JERRY BRADLEY
Who is He: The oldest Bradley boy, he was the first to be groomed for a future in politics. The dream ends after a car accident involving him, a girl, a tree, and road head. Unable to walk without crutches, Jerry compensates through anger and bullying.

My Choice:

Aaron Eckhart (Thank You for Smoking, The Dark Knight)


GRACE BRADLEY
Who is She: The matriarch of the Bradley family, Grace is a devout Catholic. The night Winifred is murdered, she notices Constant's conspicuous absence from the ground. Will this pious friend of the Pope tell the truth in court?

My Choice:

Fiona Shaw (Jane Eyre, Super Mario Bros.)


KITT BRADLEY
Who is She: The youngest of the Bradley girls. Attracted to Harrison from the start, she begins an affair with him twenty years later. She, too, refuses to admit Constant's complicity, but she alone of the family listens to Harrison. She alone is well aware of the corruption within her family.

My Choice:

Isla Fisher (Definitely, Maybe, The Lookout)


GERALD BRADLEY
Who is He: The powerful, corrupt patriarch of the Bradley clan. Dominating over all with an iron fist, Gerald bribes Harrison to write essays for Constant and keep quiet about the murder. Twenty years of lies, adultery, bribes, and cover-ups eventually catches up with him.

My Choice:

Tom Skerritt (MASH, Steel Magnolias)


CONSTANT BRADLEY
Who is He: The youngest, handsomest of the Bradley boys. Athletic, handsome, charming, a good dancer. He's also hot-tempered, abusive, cocky, and amoral. Unable to get it up for a girl, this leads to him beating his conquests up. He is able to get it up for Harrison, though....

My Choice: Academy Award Nominee for Best Actor (Brokeback Mountain)

Heath Ledger (10 Things I Hate About You, The Dark Knight). Seriously. He had the looks, the body, the charm, everything. He would have been perfect for this role. But, he's dead, so....

My Living Choice:

Jensen Ackles (Supernatural)


HARRISON BURNS
Who is He: The lead. A writer of true crime, Harrison carries the weight of what he knows throughout his life. Esme Bland makes him realize that it is time to stop writing about justice and start making it happen. Attracted to Constant as boys, married to Claire as adults, he has an affair with Kitt, dragging him back into the Bradley fold and necessitating his confession.

My Choice:

John Krasinski (Smiley Face, The Office)