Film Review: KNIVES OUT

The only thing wrong with the new film Knives Out is that it ends, leaving you to wonder what becomes of all those quirky characters you've spent more than two hours with and some you've come to love. And they are truly wonderful characters, not only because of the witty script by writer/ director Rian Johnson, but also as played by an ensemble of excellent actors, some of whom you already know (Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, Toni Colette) and many you don't.

Christopher Plummer stars as the fabulously wealthy and somewhat grouchy 85-year-old patriarch to a trio of spoiled brats and their offspring, all of whom love him mostly for his money. He's an award-winning writer of mystery novels, and lives in a dark, foreboding mansion surrounded by esoteric statuary, outdated weaponry and scary artifacts from bygone cultures, making the prop master of Knives Out a major player. In fact the scenery is so interesting you might miss some of the dialog, one reason why this film deserves at least two viewings.

Naturally there's a murder, and the world's greatest living sleuth is called in on the case. He is played by Daniel Craig, a British actor who miraculously delivers his incredible performance in a completely convincing southern accent. The twists and turns of the plot will keep you guessing, and laughing, throughout. Chances are you won't even eat your popcorn, you'll be so engrossed in the story. As one tough customer (my husband) who was "sort of sleepy" when it started said afterward, "That was super fun."