Sleuth (2007)

On his sprawling country estate, an aging writer matches wits with the struggling actor who has stolen his wife's heart.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writers:

Anthony Shaffer (adapted from the play by), Harold Pinter (screenplay)

Stars:

Michael Caine, Jude Law, Harold Pinter

2 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Michael Caine	...	Andrew
Jude Law	...	Milo
Harold Pinter	...	Man on T.V.

Storyline

Two extremely clever British men are in a game of trickery and deceit. Andrew Wyke, an aging famous author who lives alone in a high-tech mansion, after his wife Maggie has left him for a younger man; and Milo Tindle, an aspiring actor, equipped with charm and wit, who demonstrates both qualities once again. When Wyke invites Tindle to his mansion, Tindle seeks to convince the former into letting his wife go by signing the divorce paper. However, Wyke seems far more interested in playing mind games with his wife's new lover, and lures him into a series of actions he thoroughly planned in seeking revenge on his unfaithful spouse.

---

Plot Keywords:

unfaithfulness | watching tv | deception | standing on a bed | literature on screen | 

---

Taglines:

Obey the rules.

---

Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Milo Tindle (Jude Law) states near the end that he's never been to Coney Island. Another of Law's characters, Gigolo Joe from A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), almost got there with his friend David, but was captured shortly before they arrived.

---

Goofs

(at around 1h 6 mins) The jewels that Milo puts onto Andrew disappear after Milo tells Andrew that it is just a game.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Andrew Wyke: Yes?
Milo Tindle: Andrew Wyke?
Andrew Wyke: That's right.
Milo Tindle: I'm Milo Tindle.

---

Connections

Version of Sleuth (1972)

User Reviews

an interesting thriller

Kenneth Branagh is known for great Laurence Olivier remakes. His last remake was 1991's Hamlet. 16 years later Branagh is adapting one of Olivier's most famous films, Sleuth. He proves with his effective directing and camera techniques that he is still the greatest director for a remake. The film only has two actors, the legendary Michael Caine as he reverses his role this time around. In this film, the supposed Italian actor Milo Tindle is played by Jude Law. The film starts off with the camera cutting through security cameras throughout Wyke's (Caine) countryside estate. When Tindle arrives you find out that he is the lover to Wyke's wife. He simply asks for him to agree to a divorce, but Wyke has much more planned than that. The film then spends the rest of its time playing out elaborate mind games of deceit and trickery that will keep you guessing until the last second.

Usually, I think it'd be hard to watch just two actors for almost 90min. To pull it off, you'd have to have two incredibly strong actors to pull it off, and they got the perfect people for it. Michael Caine brings Olivier's role a fresher sense of darkness and questionable attributes. While Jude Law easily proves that he is one of his generations top actors. For playing Caine's former performance, Law is sufficient enough to keep the film going. During the second act of the film, Law will surprise you with a stunning performance.

Branagh's direction is somewhat courageous. He uses new camera techniques that haven't been seen before. Sleuth in some way is a dream for a cameraman. Branagh pulls off such interesting angles that it gives you different perspectives of what's going on in each scene. Whether your only line of sight is protruding through a set mini-blinds, it almost makes you feel like a peeping tom listening in on the mens conversation.

The script written by Harold Pinter is filled with eloquent dialog that will entrance you. The character's flip flop from good to bad constantly, so the dialog keeps you updated on who is winning the game. It also gives you a sense that there is a third character in the film. The house. It's incredibly high tech and is the reason for the same of the character's choices. Pinter also uses some of the designs in the house to help move the story along.

However though, towards the end of the second act it seems that the two characters start to get too caught up in their own games and the film does get a bit contrived. It lost my interest a little at the end as well. The film ends abruptly but leaves you hanging. After talking about everything, my conclusion is that Sleuth is definitely one of the greatest remakes of all time.

I give it an 8 out of 10

Details

Official Sites:

Official site [United States]

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Sleuth

Filming Locations:

Twickenham Film Studios, St Margarets, Twickenham, Middlesex, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$50,100, 14 October 2007

Gross USA:

$342,895

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$4,889,751

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Classics, Castle Rock Entertainment, Riff Raff Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital SDDS DTS

Color:

Color Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1