1972’s Sleuth was a favorite of Stephen Sondheim, and it’s clear why. Part of him must have envied Laurence Olivier’s character…but then he built quite a collection of rare games and flimflams himself. The movie itself is an elaborate flimflam game, and you owe it to yourself to watch it without knowing anything about it. Seriously—nothing.
I saw the 2007 Branagh-directed remake first and was not impressed. I knew the original would be better, but it took me fifteen years to watch it. Initially, I was skeptical. But it’s the performances that carry it off, with a big assist from a screenplay much more interesting than Pinter’s was in the remake. This version is actually about something, and it is perfectly cast to drive its point in savagely.
(Also fun: the posters all have the “EU” in the title enlarged. It was made long before the EU, but its messages about England and its neighbors make it seem like a prophetic touch.)
Yes, in both films, the entrance of Doppler is a moment of supreme suspension of disbelief. But, forcing myself to look past it, I enjoyed watching these two actors have the time of their life. 100% Olivier’s best. Maybe Caine’s, as well? Both are doing a lot more than mumbling behind a big desk, which got Brando the Oscar over both of them. The Oscars that took place in 1973 made some big mistakes, and they all involved giving awards to The Godfather.