Currently playing in UK cinemas, and arriving on video-on-demand platforms imminently, is the comedy ‘whodunnit?’, See How They Run. The movie – directed by Tom George – stars Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Reece Shearsmith, David Oyelowo, and Ruth Wilson, and follows the story of two police officers who are assigned to solve a murder case at a theatre.
In the film, it is 1953 and in London’s West End a party is being held to celebrate the 100th performance of Agatha Christie’s play, The Mousetrap. The party is attended by various movers and shakers in the industry, including American film director, Leo Köpernick, who has plans to turn The Mousetrap into a movie.
But Köpernick is an abrasive person, who rubs people up the wrong way, including the play’s star, Richard Attenborough. As a result, it’s not long before Köpernick and Attenborough get into a fist fight, leaving the loud-mouth director dishevelled and covered in party food.
Heading backstage to clean himself up, Köpernick is alone when he is promptly attacked and murdered by an unseen assailant. A short while later, Inspector Stoppard and Police Constable Stalker of Scotland Yard arrive at the scene to investigate his death and interrogate the suspects.
Filled to the brim with recognisable faces, loaded with lashings of comedy, and topped off with some smart direction, See How They Run is a delightfully entertaining murder-mystery not to be missed. The film is light and playful in all the right places, features some great performances from the ensemble cast, and simply sparkles at every opportunity.
As with all good ‘whodunnits?’, See How They Run revolves around a central mystery, which forms the backbone of the tale; but the real fun here is watching various character actors pop up as suspects. Secrets are revealed, important clues are uncovered, and they all get to deliver witty lines as they offer up their alibis.
Audiences are of course able to play along with the mystery, should they want to put their thinking caps on, but equal enjoyment can be found in just sitting back and soaking up everything on offer. One of the best things about See How They Run is just how entrancing it all is, and it isn’t difficult to simply get lost in every inch of it.
From the costumes and the scenery, to the lighting and the music, every element of this movie has been meticulously slotted into place to create something special. This isn’t a film which just excels in one area, it sweeps the board to cover all bases.
The stand-out part for me is the casting of Sam Rockwell as Inspector Stoppard, as well as Saoirse Ronan as Police Constable Stalker. These two actors grab all of the best lines, are behind some of the movie’s funniest moments, and are instrumental in keeping everything running smoothly.
Their interactions are wonderful to watch, and I simply couldn’t get enough of them. Ronan in particular is just superb and she lights up every scene she is in.
Working together, the Rockwell/Ronan pairing is a real triumph, in what is simply an excellent movie. This is one of those films that just works from the moment it begins, and I have nothing bad to say about it.
If you’re after a spot of mystery and intrigue, or you could do with the odd chuckle or two, then See How They Run is one to pop on your watch list. Save it for a rainy day or for when the nights get even darker, or if you need cheering up while nursing a hangover on a Sunday afternoon.
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