SLEUTH (1972)

Lawrence Olivier and Michael Caine

SLEUTH (1972). Director: Joseph L. Mankiewicz. Screenplay by Anthony Shaffer from his play.

"Sex is the game; marriage the penalty." -- Andrew

"You are the complete clown." -- ditto

Mystery writer Andrew Wyke (Lawrence Olivier) receives a visitor at his country estate: Milo Tindle (Michael Caine), who owns his own hairdressing salon and happens to be the lover of Wyke's wife. Milo is hoping that Andrew will agree to give his wife a divorce, but Andrew has other plans. He wants Milo to steal some of his wife's jewelry -- Milo can sell the jewels and have enough money to keep his lover in style, and Andrew will get a huge insurance pay-out. But Andrew may have a more sinister scheme in mind than insurance fraud. It isn't too long before Inspector Doppler comes a calling ... 

Inspector Doppler deals with Andrew

Based on Anthony Shaffer's stage play, this is a twisty mystery-thriller that provides two good actors with some juicy roles and real opportunities for scene-stealing. While Caine is marvelous, Olivier is outstanding, putting on a thespian show of grand proportions. That's what makes the film entertaining even if you've seen it before and remember the plot twists (although it's a bit more fun when you're seeing it for the first time). The film is overlong at over two hours, and I confess this business at the very end with police showing up out of nowhere makes little sense, but the movie is certainly worth one look. The play is intelligently opened up by Shaffer, and Mankiewicz's direction is inobtrusive and keeps things moving. The picture is quite amusing until things get serious -- and even afterward. 

Verdict: Perhaps not nearly as wonderful as people remember -- even back then one of the twists seemed obvious -- but memorable in spite of it. ***.