"Knives Out"

I wasn’t a big fan of Rian Johnson’s feature debut, the noirish “Brick”, but I was intrigued to experience his return to the genre, following high-profile excursions into science-fiction. “Knives Out” starts out as a classic country house whodunnit, but then strays into areas of subtle social commentary.

The story begins with the apparent suicide of wealthy crime novelist Harlan Thrombey – Christopher Plummer – the circumstances of whose death lead the police to involve eccentric Southern detective Benoit Blanc – Daniel Craig - in the investigation. Various relatives and in-laws are in the frame – Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Chris Evans, Toni Colette and Michael Shannon all relishing the campness; with Harlan’s Hispanic nurse, Marta – Ana De Armas – a key witness.

Jamie Lee Curtis

In a classy touch, the writer/director appears on-screen at the beginning of proceedings, imploring us not to give away the denouement, but suffice it to say that the plotting is deliciously circuitous, and the visuals subtly stylish. Craig has great fun with the accent, and Lakeith Stanfield is deftly deployed as the exasperated African-American police officer, racial politics being central to the narrative.

“Knives Out” manages to be both playful and substantial; it’s a juicy treat.