TOWARDS ZERO

UK, 2006, 100 minutes, Colour.

Geraldine McEwan, Greg Wise, Eileen Atkins, Julian Sands, Zoe Tapper, Paul Nichols, Saffron Burrows, Julie Graham, Tom Baker, Alan Davies.

Directed by David Grindley (and Nicholas Winding Refn)

A popular Miss Marple story, this film featuring Geraldine McEwan as Jane Marple, her performance is quietly sweet, gentle, even fey, always observing, always searching, formulating theories. At the opening of this film, she is in discussion with the doctor who has a theory that murders are a culmination of a process, a process towards zero.

The initial focus of the film is on Neville, Greg Wise, playing tennis at Wimbledon, gentlemanly, but gruff with his second wife, making plans to invite his former wife to the family home, which is presided over by the highly critical and crotchety lady Tressilion, Eileen Atkins at her typical and best.

The doctor dies. Lady Tressilion is murdered in her bed. The initial suspicion goes on to Neville but, eventually, he provides alibis. Those who are under suspicion include Neville’s two wives, Kay (Zoe Tapper) and Audrey (Saffron Burrows). There is also a man about town infatuated with Kay (Paul Nichols). There is also Lady Tressilion’s companion who will benefit from the will. There are complications as to which of Neville’s wives is to inherit.

Once again, Agatha Christie is a master of misdirection, Neville a victim, his being framed – and, Miss Marple nosing around the house, finding all kinds of different evidence, including an alternative to the golf clubs which seem to be the murder weapon, finally unmasking the villain – Neville who had cleverly framed himself with a plan that would indicate that he could not be guilty.

A note about the direction. Danish Nicholas Winding Refn, director of a number of tough Danish films with Mads Mikkelson, Bronson with Tom Hardy, films like Only God Forgives, directed another Miss Marple film and assisted with this one, uncredited. (And Alan Davies is rather stuffy, especially with his more genial participation in QIO over many years.)

1. The popularity of Agatha Christie novels? Of Miss Marple? The three television actresses and their characteristics? Geraldine McEwan, sweet and fey?
2. The setting, the town, the sea, the mansion, hotels, interiors? The background of Wimbledon? The setting for a murder? The musical score?
3. Agatha Christie’s ability to misdirect attention? Neville as the central character, unpleasant, yet genial manner, his behaviour with Audrey, reconciliation with her, the marriage to Kay, his treatment of her? The murder, his being framed, the alibis, victim, yet mastermind?
4. The introduction to the characters, the pleasant evening, conversation, the couples dancing? Neville, the background of Tom and his brother, death in an accident, Tom’s injured arm, working in the later? His return? Kay, her manner, spoilt? Ted, friendship, man about town? Dr Treves, the discussions with Miss Marple, his theory of the murder, working towards zero? Lady Tressiliion and, her manner, Mary and her attentiveness? Of the members of staff?
5. The tennis, Neville, his loss, courtesy, reputation? The discussions with Kay, forcing her to go to the house? Inviting Audrey?
6. The hotel accommodation, the visits, the meals, Lady Tressilion upstairs, the conversations with Miss Marple, memories of the past? The disapproval of Neville’s behaviour? Her death?
7. Dr Treves, his story about the wilful boy and his vengeance, his heart condition, walking back to the hotel, upper floor, the lift out of order, his collapse and death?
8. Miss Marple, her observations, speculations? Searching the house? Finding evidence?
9. The possible suspects, their behaviour on the night, possible motivations? The issue of the will, which wife was to inherit the money, Audrey and the insults, her running to the cliff? Neville rescuing her?
10. The evidence against Neville? But the mystery of Lady Tressilion and ringing the bell, the maid and string, seeing Neville the house? The time? Ted and his evidence, being with Neville?
11. Everybody gathered together, the police inspector, rather humourless and straightforward (except for his glances at Audrey)? His assistant? Wary of Miss Marple, listening to her?
12. On the boat, pushing Ted off the boat, his having to be rescued? Miss Marple and the explanation of how Neville committed the murder, setting it up, the boat, swimming back, the rope, the golf club, but Miss Marple discovering the knobs as the weapon, setting up the ringing of the bell, Neville changing his clothes? And the irony of the clue with the smell of the dead fish, the girl from the hotel, Neville leaving his clothes on the rocks after swimming?
13. Neville his motivation, the revelation of his hatred for Audrey, her leaving him, planning leave with the brother and his being killed, her revealing years of Neville during marriage?