SEE HOW THEY RUN is a classic “who done it” murder mystery movie. It is influenced by Agatha Christie’s play, THE MOUSETRAP. All the characters or suspects are together on stage. Everyone is sworn to secrecy at the end to not ruin the solving of the case for anyone else. “Shhhh!”
The ensemble and fast-paced dialogue make this film interesting and entertaining. The cast includes Adrian Brody, Ruth Wilson, Saoirse Ronan, Sam Rockwell, and David Oyelowo. Phenomenal casting to be sure. Their timing was like a well-oiled engine that could and did. The monologues and one-liners were witty and jarring. I especially enjoyed the double entendre Three Blind Mice tune woven in several scenes. Agatha would have been so proud. I also laughed out loud as they addressed each other. “Commissioner…Inspector…Constable.” You just had to be there.
SEE HOW THEY RUN was nothing like the original play of the same title. I directed that comedy years ago with one of my former students, Chester Bennington of Linkin Park fame, who died in 2017. I wish the writers had brought that play version to the screen. It was a delightful script. (Sigh)
SEE HOW THEY RUN won’t disappoint the murder-loving” crowd. It is a ninety-minute fun escape into a world where “a writer can’t be told what to write.” It is meant to keep you guessing for sheer delight and is available to stream on HBO Max.
