Deathtrap

IMDB
First time viewed: Yes
Current Release: No
Watched With: Myself

The great Sidney Lumet has passed away. This is very sad news, the man was a true master. There are a heaps of his films I've never seen so I've made a point of checking some of them out, starting out with this little thriller from 1982.

Based on the very self referential murder mystery play by Ira Levin, the film follows a murder mystery playwright who comes up with a plan to kill a student and take credit for his play. There are the usual twists and turns along the way, my favourite being what an awesome gay couple Michael Caine and Christopher Reeve make. That is the greatest thing ever.

I always found the whodunnit plays a little hoary and this one plays up on those conventions but never truly rose above them. The music was probably the most obvious culprit, aping on the cheesy old english melodramatic mystery music but then itself becoming annoying and corny once we get the idea. It just becomes what is is parodying.

Still, the performances are great and pace is kept up and there are a fair few funny moments, especially from the psychic next door neighbour.

An interesting little film and I hope to check out more from Lumet very soon.