GLASS ONION: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY

US, 2022, 140 minutes, Colour.

Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monae, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Jessica Fenwick, Madeline Klein, Jackie Hoffman, Dallas Roberts, Ethan Hawke, Hugh Grant, Serena Williams, Natasha Lyon.

Directed by Rian Johnson.

Knives Out was welcomed by world audiences eager for a complicated murder mystery, big budget, top cast, an updated variation on the Poirot mode of detection. And it had a surprise, the transition from James Bond to Benoit Blanc by Daniel Craig (and its taking a long time to get used to his Louisiana accent and draw). So, needless to say, audiences wanted another Knives Out Mystery. And, here it is.

Once again, it takes some time to get used to Benoir Blanc’s accent (but we seem to be much more accepting of it now). Poor Benoit needs to be active, hasn’t got a case, but fortunately a situation arises for his investigations – and, on a luxury island in Greece, with a visual Glass Onion mansion, extravagant in interiors, exteriors and grounds. Just the place to relax – except that the owner, entrepreneur Edward Norton, wants to play games with old friends and associates, setting up a murder situation with him as the victim. But he hadn’t counted on Benoit Blanc solving it almost instantly, shifting the scenario and the need for some more murders!

The cast is not as top-class as or the first film but will do (and some momentary cameos for delight, Serena Williams coaching tennis, an instant with Hugh Grant opening a door!). But the standout performer is Janelle Monae in two roles. And she proves more than a worthy associate for investigations and detection. Kate Hudson seems to be specialising in flaunty roles these days. Kathryn Hahn is always a solid presence. And Dave Bautista does a variation on his musclebound screen presence – and quite a funny brief cameo from Jackie Hoffman as his behind-the-scenes, caustic mother.

So, the setup, the detective, the introduction to the characters, the exotic setting, the murder that doesn’t happen, the murders that do. All enjoyable but, perhaps, not quite the spark we were expecting.

But, then, Hugh Grant opens that door and Glass Onion really takes off. We get more information about the characters and situations, some deaths, and an increasing of tension and mystery. The second part of the film works very well, looking at previous situations again, seeing behaviour in a different light, all kinds of challenges.

So, a lot of audience energy in trying to work out whodunnit. Thanks to the Janelle Monae characters, mystery and tension, false alibis, deceit… And Benoit Blanc, Daniel Craig’s manner, that strange accent, able to reveal all!

No difficulties if they decide to make another Knives Out Mystery.

1. The popularity of the original film? Murder, mystery, solution? And the role of Benoit Blanc? Audience desire for another Knives Out mystery?
2. The popularity of murder mysteries, the range of characters, the exotic settings, the clues and misleading, the detective, investigations, assistance, the revelation? In the Poirot tradition?
3. Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, from the south, his accent and drawl, clothes, manner, lamenting no case, needing action? The case, going to Greece, the island, his encountering the characters, Miles Bron and his game, solving the mystery? Further developments in murders? Helen and her working with him?
4. Benoit Blanc and his character, manner, Daniel Craig from Bond to detective? Casual style, yet astute, observing, working within the law, the situations, the twists, working with Helen?
5. The situation, establishing the characters, Miles Bron, entrepreneur, the island, his building, the glass onion, interiors and exteriors, the coast, the beach, the water? The invitation to the guests, the past connections with them, inventions, exploitation, copyright? His hold over his guests? Setting up the game, his murder? Benoit Blanc solving it quickly? His reaction?
6. Clare, Governor, establishing her character, the politics, elections, relationship with her husband? Lionel, his connections with Claire, with Bron? Birdie Jay and her agent, the relationship, her manner and style, performance, the touch of the tacky? Andi, her past relationship with Miles, the break, the business connections? Duke, musclebound (and the humorous flashback to his bossy Mother), Whiskey, her relationship with Duke? Everyone assembled, the puzzle of their being invited, ease, unease?
7. Miles and his treatment of his guests, liking, spurning, the past with Andi, the sexual encounter with Whiskey?
8. The change in the game, Duke and his death, the changing of glasses, his whispering to Miles?
9. The development of the plot, the behaviour of each of the characters, complications, suspicions, clues?
10. The scene with Hugh Grant opening the door, the change in the film? The second part, revisiting the situations, different angles on the characters? The revelation about Andi, Helen taking her place? Helen, strong-minded, her investigations? The dangers? The revisiting of Duke’s death and the explanation?
11. The flashbacks, the truth about Andi, Miles and his visit, the others, her death? Helen taking her place?
12. The variety of clues, the behaviour of the characters, suspects? The variety dangers, the timing, suspicions, discoveries?
13. The entertaining celebrity cameos?
14. The final revelation, Benoit Blanc and his explanations, and Miles Bron as a phony, his being a murderer?
15. An apocalyptic ending, consumed by fire?