I haven't read Agatha Christie's novel "The Hollow" yet, but I have seen the 2004 David Suchet version of it, and that was my standard of comparison here. The biggest difference, of course, apart from all the changed names, is that Hercule Poirot is completely removed from the action, and a random French inspector takes his place. The role of the police in general is limited in the film, which results in a certain lack of urgency, even after the murder is committed; however the acrophobic finale is well-done. According to most reports, the 2004 version was faithful to the novel; this 2008 take has apparently "spiced up" the story a bit with additional red herrings, which I thought was not a bad idea at all, as this particularly mystery is, IMHO, one of Christie's thinnest. Casting-wise, the big winner for the 2004 version is Megan Dodds, who plays a free-spirited, clever, pre-feminist artist; Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, who has the same role here, does not manage to bring her to life the way Megan did. But the 2008 version also has a clear winner: Caterina Murino, fresh from "Casino Royale", makes a more irresistible femme fatale than Lysette Anthony, and has a brief but showstopping nude scene, as well! Overall, the 2004 version is better, but "Le Grand Alibi" is also interesting, particularly for Christie fans. **1/2 out of 4.
Review of The Great Alibi
