SLEUTH

RYAN: Kenneth Branagh has directed “Sleuth” starring Jude Law and Michael Caine.

CAROLINE: Man, I love a short movie.

RYAN: Well, this one certainly is at 86 minutes. This movie is based on a play that was then made into a film in 1972, which Michael Caine also starred in.

CAROLINE: It’s a very spare movie; you can tell it came from a play. There are only two actors in the whole thing.

RYAN: It’s a real character study, and it really kept us on our toes. I think we both jumped a couple times.

CAROLINE: I definitely jumped in my seat. There are a couple freaky moments that you see coming, and then a couple you don’t.

RYAN: Well, this just in, Kenneth Branagh is a brilliant actor and an experienced director, and he so expertly directed this movie that I almost felt he was in it. You felt his presence in every shot, especially the first 20 minutes, which were so creative and beautiful. There were some things I’ve never seen before.

CAROLINE: I was really into the opening scene; I don’t think I’d see anything like it before. The acting is great, and the set is amazing. It’s a really cool house with tons of contemporary art. The movie is slow moving in a good way; it’s basically just about these 2 guys and this cat-and-mouse thing they’ve got going on.

RYAN: It’s not a big action flick or anything but it’s a good thriller, and I definitely think Kenneth Branagh is deserving of an Oscar nomination for directing. Michael Caine is a brilliant actor who I’ve never looked at before and thought, “Wow, he’s sexy,” until this movie.

CAROLINE: I can’t get over his big fake choppers.

RYAN: And Jude Law is always gorgeous, of course.

CAROLINE: There’s a scene where he pours vodka all over himself and he looked so hot. I’m sure it was water in reality though.

RYAN: Their relationship takes an interesting twist by the end. The music is really good too, so the movie has an intensity that keeps it moving. If you like a character study, it’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. Bottom line?

CAROLINE: I think you may have liked it a little more than I did, though I did like it. I loved the music and the acting too. I’ve been wondering though if I would have liked it as much if were two different actors. But as long as it was well acted, I think the answer would have been yes, because it’s a good story.

RYAN: I like intrigue and a movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and it’s always great to have a twist that works well. And the twist in this movie is better than some have been for the king of movie twists, M. Night Shyamalan, like “Lady in the Water” or “The Village.” I think I liked “Sleuth” better than both of those. The set design is so amazing; I want to live in that house! The lighting is cool too; it’s all done by remote control so the actors can control it. I was very turned on by this film in many ways.

CAROLINE: Ooh…I’ll leave the rest to our readers’ imagination.