Directed by: Kyle Newacheck
Starring: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston, Luke Evans, Terence Stamp, Gemma Arterton
Murder Mystery is a comedy with few laughs despite the best efforts of its cast, who really want to elevate this material into an elaborate spoof of Agatha Christie novels. It isn't elaborate or much of a spoof. In fact, it starts to feel like the real thing with a few one-liners thrown in as the walls close in on our heroes suspected of murdering a wealthy billionaire. How did Nick (Sandler) and Audrey (Aniston) get into this pickle? Married fifteen years, but with the spark not what it used to be, the couple take a long-awaited trip to Europe after Nick, a New York cop, failed his detective exam yet again. He doesn't tell Audrey this, and leads people to believe he is actually a detective. This isn't altogether relevant, but it's part of the backstory.
On the plane, while Nick is sleeping, Audrey has drinks in first class with the aristocratic Charles Cavendish (Evans), and with a name like that, I doubt he could be anything but an aristocrat. Nick and Audrey are invited to Charles' father's yacht for the weekend, which is more desirable than the cramped sightseeing bus tour Nick had arranged. The yacht owner, Malcolm Quince (Stamp) is stabbed in the heart soon after telling most of his family that they are no longer allowed to ride the Quince gravy train. Knives Out had a similar plot line, but was a whole lot more successful in nearly every aspect.
Who committed the crime? Audrey is a mystery novel enthusiast, and gleefully takes the lead along with Nick to find out whodunit. Soon, the couple is suspected of the deed, and find themselves on the run from the Paris police, while trying to figure out the crime. Other suspects wind up dead, narrowing the search and making it easier on us and the couple. Nick and Audrey also predictably reignite their passion for each other.
Murder Mystery is forgettable fluff. It has been a few days since I watched it and I hardly recall it. I wrote at the top of my review that Murder Mystery is a comedy with few laughs. I must admit now that number is closer to zero.
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