See How They Run: Movie Review

Cast: Sam Rockwell, Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Harris Dickinson, Ruth Wilson, Reece Shearsmith

Director: Tom George

Depressingly flat when there should be some extreme fizz and pep in its step, See How They Run starts with Adrien Brody's obnoxious film director and murder victim Leo Kopernick intoning that you've seen one murder mystery, you've seen them all.

Sadly, Brody's right and while the knockabout See How They Run is perfectly fine and serviceable, it feels like it could have been much more, given the wealth of talent involved and the story.

In the West End of 1950s London, the stage production of the Mousetrap has reached 100 performances. The success of the Agatha Christie-penned play has reached Hollywood, and now Leo Kopernick (Brody) has been drafted to make a film of the perennially popular stage show.

But before anything can be committed to the big screen, Kopernick's killed - and the entire cast are suspects in his murder. Enter drunk detective Inspector Stoppard (Rockwell) and eager would be sergeant Constable Stalker (Ronan, surprisingly adept at the comedic) who are tasked with solving the case.

Tom George has a dazzling cast to play with, and a delicious murder mystery to unravel, but it all proceeds in such a rote way that even when the dialogue should be zinging back and forth with its comedy barbs, it feels like it's unable to scale any of the heights that are needed.

Ronan proves to be the MVP here of this mismatched buddy movie, greatly enhancing the comedic edges with her wide-eyed enthusiasm and misplaced jumping to conclusions. Rockwell's underplaying works nicely with her energy, but it's not quite enough. In fact, it's the low energy that almost proves fatal to See How They Run.

There may be meta touches in the dialogue and knowing winks, but make no mistake, this is not Noel Coward-level repartee, merely a reminder of what the film's fully missing as it plays out. With elements of Wes Anderson adorning the sets and surroundings, the film's aesthetic is perfect, but there's not enough of everything in the sandwich to distract from the missing filling.

See How They Run is perfectly adequate viewing, but it lacks the sophistication and memorable elements of a truly great night out.