TAKEN AT THE FLOOD

UK, 2008, 93 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Jenny Agutter, Patrick Baladi, Eva Birthistle, Elliot Cowan, Amanda Douge, Penny Downie, Richard Durden, Claire Hackett, Richard Hope, Celia Imre, Nicholas Le Provost, Tim Piggott- Smith, Elizabeth Spriggs, Pip Torrens.
Directed by Andy Wilson.

The title takes its reference from Shakespeare and Julius Caesar, “there is a tide in the affairs of men that, taken at the flood, lead…�.

This is a story about a family, a very unpleasant family, seen initially all hurrying to a reception and a building exploding. There is an explanation about the background of the family, the dead man, his wife who had been previously married to an explorer who disappeared, her Svengali -like brother who controls her life, the various in-laws and spouses who all have their own agenda, especially concerning finance.

One of the characters has spent time in Africa and is in contact by letter with Poirot. He becomes involved in the case, commissioned to find the first husband, to see whether he was dead or had just disappeared and the second marriage was bigamy, with financial consequences for the rest of the family.

There are some deaths, but more than might have been anticipated at the beginning of the story.

There is a strong cast of British character actors, including Jenny Agutter and Celia Imrie as two sisters. And Tim Pigott Smith does a tour de force as an eccentric doctor. Even Birthistle is the young Irish wife and Amanda Doouge is the attractive woman from Africa.

It is rare to see Poirot so angry in the unmasking of the killer, but, more importantly, unmasking the evil presence behind the story as well as the condemnation of the selfish family.

1. The title? The quote from Julius Caesar? With relevance to whom? David Hunter?

2. The popularity of Agatha Christie mysteries, the television series, David Suchet as Poirot?

3. Poirot, ageing, manner of speaking, walking, touches of vanity? His involvement with people, his concern? The interviews, the case? His very strong condemnation of the family? Of David Hunter?

4. The background of the Cloade family? Gordon, his marrying Rosaleen? The family disapproval? Their all arriving and gossiping? The suddenness of the explosion? Rosaleen and David coming out of the fire?

5. The family situation, Jeremy and Frances, her father and his suspicious dealings, her brother Charles, Jeremy and the loss of money? Frances and her determination, talking with Rosaleen at the party, getting the cheque, the denunciation by David, a returning the cheque? Her desire for revenge? Using her brother? His impersonating the dead adventurer? His being murdered?

6. Lynn, vivacious, her time in Africa, letters from Poirot, the long friendship with Rowley, fiancee, the intention of marriage? Her meeting David Hunter, the immediate attraction? Her bewilderment, Hunter meeting her in the garden, the passionate moments, the alibi, Lynn and her discussions with Poirot, his urging her to the truth, her helping with Rosaleen after the suicide attempt, David Hunter’s behaviour? The meeting with Rowley, his anger, her leaving? The disillusionments David Hunter’s behaviour at the end?

7. Lynn’s mother, part of the family, her eccentric sister, Cathy, superstitions and alleged communications, or others…? Her abusive telephone calls to Rosaleen? Her fierce denunciations?

8. Her being married to the doctor, his mercenary approach, visitations, charging, over-charging? Mrs Leadbetter? With Rosaleen? The revelation about his morphine addiction, taking Rosalind’s morphine, as preventing her suicide?

9. Rosaleen, Irish, meek, her first marriage, the adventurer and his being lost? Her second marriage? Isolation, her dependence on David? The socials, wanting to lend the money? At home, the drugs? Her wanting to withdraw? The failed suicide attempt?

10. Enoch Arden, the literary echoes, his being seen, at the hotel, the landlady and her giving information to Rowley? Mrs Leadbetter and her seeing the woman with the scarf? The blackmail, confronting David Hunter, his death?

11. David Hunter, manner, Irish, arrogant, blunt in his plain speaking to everyone, the confrontation with Frances? Dominating Rosaleen? The attraction towards Lynn – and his double dealing? His spurning of the whole family? Going to visit Arden?

12. Poirot, his investigations, collaborating with the local police?

13. The finale, everybody present, Poirot and his indignation, different confrontations, especially with the doctor? The denunciation of the family and their hypocrisies? The revelation about the true Rosaeenl, David Hunter and his plan, his affair with the maid, Eileen? The death of his sister? The set up with Rosaleen? And setting her up for suicide?

14. Rowley and the revelation, his anger with Arden, hitting him, covering the fireplace, Poirot detecting the truth? Giving the money to the major, to witness in the court, the major’s suicide?

15. The complexities of the case, the complexities of the characters, and Poirot’s indignant denunciation?