Ann Royce McClain is a wealthy, successful author, always devising intelligent ways to commit murder. She lives at her luxury home with Rashni, ex con turned housekeeper and her troubled granddaughter Pamela. Ann drinks too much, and smokes to much, frequently causing small fires. On her birthday friends and family are invited for a party, including old flame Dr Anthony Wainwright, her son Lawrence and his wife Sheila, as well as Mark, Pamela's distant and forgotten husband. Ann learns that the disposable Sheila plans to put her in a home to get her money, and a tape is made capturing that conversation. Soon after Sheila dies, in a particularly ingenious way, a method used in her recent novel and displayed to Rashni.
I've wanted to see this for ages, a little dated now I grant you, but an interesting story, with a good plot and a well drawn set of characters. Lansbury is as glorious as ever, as is the great Olivier, what a combination. Feels a little like a futuristic Murder she wrote, but mystery fans will enjoy it. Lansbury plays Ann with a sassy flair, who in turn makes the whole set up interesting, reminiscences from the past are a joy. Not a high point for Olivier but his quality is apparent.
Enjoyable 7/10
I've wanted to see this for ages, a little dated now I grant you, but an interesting story, with a good plot and a well drawn set of characters. Lansbury is as glorious as ever, as is the great Olivier, what a combination. Feels a little like a futuristic Murder she wrote, but mystery fans will enjoy it. Lansbury plays Ann with a sassy flair, who in turn makes the whole set up interesting, reminiscences from the past are a joy. Not a high point for Olivier but his quality is apparent.
Enjoyable 7/10