Rian Johnson has triggered interest in mysterious murders, roundups of suspects, detectives shelling out clues and almost everything that has to do with Agatha Christie thanks to ‘Punches in the back’. She has reactivated a beautiful, entertaining and thought-provoking genrenow it only remains for us as the public to be there to support him.
Unfortunately, not all of them have the fortune to cause that kind of sensation, even if they are great movies that do the job perfectly. This is the case of ‘Look how they run’ that went very discreetly through movie theaters at the time and now awaits its second opportunity in streaming with its premiere on Disney +. Frankly, you should run to see it.
There’s a dead man on the stage
Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan play the pair of police officers assigned to investigate a murder that took place in a theater. Not because the play was bad, it was a complete success, but because of the death of a film director (Adrien Brody) from which any member linked to the production can be guiltyfrom the actors to the production company or the scriptwriter with whom he was going to make the film adaptation.
References to 1950s Hollywood and also to the mysteries of Christie’s novels, one of which supports the hit play in question (which leads to her having a bigger presence than expected). Tom George create a fabulous look behind the scenes that will excite coffee growers, although care is taken that the most interesting thing is not that.
It has a great approach and exploits it wonderfully at the beginning, and then the mystery is well-crafted enough that the ending is powerful (and delicious for reasons best left undisclosed). George rolls everything with immense pleasurewith care in the details of the staging and mounting them in such a way that an electrifying rhythm is always maintained.
‘Look how they run’: funny and intelligent
However, beyond its terrific twists, the show wins for its characters. From the motley suspects to (above all) the investigative couple Rockwell and Ronan, who are lovingly written and whose relationship puts the note of unexpected emotion that completes the film. Even though the intrigue may have moments of weakness, the protagonists are likeable and interesting to follow.
The fabulous metacinematic point with which George tells you how films like his work and mysteries like this show the sagacity of ‘Look how they run’. A smart but perfectly accessible movie for everyone for her clarity when it comes to unfolding and for how entertaining she is in her humor. The best appetizer for the stunning parade that is ‘Stabs in the Back: The Mystery of the Glass Onion’.