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The Mirror Crack'd | Year: 1980 Classification: Mystery / Suspense Directed: - Guy Hamilton Actors/Actresses: - Angela Lansbury - Tony Curtis - Rock Hudson Humourous and Likeable It's not big, it's not terribly clever, and it won't change the way anyone thinks about anything at all, but this 1980 version of one of Agatha Christie's less-loved novels of the same name is still an enjoyable tale of murder and gentle rebuke. Set in a highly stereotypical American vision of the 1950's English countryside, the whole town is abuzz when Lola Brewster (Kim Novak) and Marina Rudd (Elizabeth Taylor) take up residence to film a production of 'Mary, Queen of Scots'. When one of Ms. Rudd's long-time fans is murdered at a reception given for the Star, Miss Marple (Angela Lansbury) and her nephew Inspector Delbert Craddock (Edward Fox) investigate the crime. Script and direction are nothing more than diverting, with a nod here and there to the likes of Joan Crawford and Bette Davis - the two movie Queens feud continually - and some extremely clever one-liners - Ms. Taylor's line about Doris Day takes on a whole new level of meaning, as her director husband Jason is played by Rock Hudson. As Christie's well-loved sleuth, Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple is amusingly self-depracatory in her role, claiming that not everyone who comes into contact with her winds up dead. She'll never be Joan Hickson, but in a film such as this, Lansbury's lighthearted and somewhat campy performance is perfectly pitched. Tony Curtis and Rock Hudson do passable jobs in their respective roles as Producer and Director, and the supporting cast is nothing more than perfunctory (including a rare nonspeaking cameo from a VERY young Pierce Brosnan), but for all that, they hang together well enough as an ensemble. The plot and subsequent climax are forgettable, but, as with the rest of the film, come with a gentle likeable atmosphere that saves them from being mundane. If you can pick it up cheaply, then go for it, it's perfect Sunday afternoon viewing. In total, 'The Mirror Crack'd' is a sweet, campy film that unfortunately stays too close to 'Average' to be a definite recommendation. Lightweight Agatha Christie Still Entertains Although the "mystery" does not truly satisfy, "The Mirror Crack'd" offers the viewer the chance to see a first-rate cast of stars poking fun somewhat at their glamorous pasts. Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, Tony Curtis, and a great comic turn from Kim Novak are wonderful as Hollywood-types making a film in England. On hand also are Geraldine Chaplin and Edward Fox in supporting roles. Look fast and one might miss a very young Pierce Brosnan with head placed lovingly in Miss Taylor's cleavage. Angela Lansbury, made up to look dowdier than usual, is fine as Miss Marple, heroine of many Christie novels. Unfortunately, if one has ever seen the great Margaret Rutherford, Lansbury comes up short. Rutherford will forever be the one true "Miss Jane." good Movie this is a good movie and Angela Lansbury makes a wonderful Miss Marple. And Elizabeth Taylor is great as always. Buy The Mirror Crack D at Amazon.com Buy posters at Allposters.com Jamster - the latest ringtones for your phone!  Search with Walhello on the Internet on The Mirror Crack D Search with the Priority Search Engine on The Mirror Crack D This page in other languages: Suomeksi | Nederlands | Deutsch
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