grantss

(Review is of both parts).

A friend of Miss Marple's, self-made millionaire Jason Rafiel, has died. In his will he sends Miss Marple on a coach tour to solve an unspecified crime for a handsome reward. Once on the tour she realises that Mr Rafiel wants her to unravel the mystery of his son and the death of the woman he loved.

Another Miss Marple mystery where she has to solve a murder that occurred many years previously (Sleeping Murder has this plot device too). Is quite interesting in a slow-burning sort of way: we initially have no information on what crime has been committed, or even if one has, and are slowly fed information as to what Miss Marple is supposed to be investigating. Just getting the background is a puzzle in itself!

From then on things proceed in more whodunnit sort of fashion, resulting in a solid conclusion.

Not entirely engaging though. Because of the initial lack of information things are quite murky. Characters aren't overly interesting either, a consistent issue with the second season of Miss Marple - the characters in the first season were much more colourful.

Overall, a solid instalment in the Miss Marple series.

A friend of Miss Marple's, self-made millionaire Jason Rafiel, has died. In his will he sends Miss Marple on a coach tour to solve an unspecified crime for a handsome reward. Once on the tour she realises that Mr Rafiel wants her to unravel the mystery of his son and the death of the woman he loved.

Another Miss Marple mystery where she has to solve a murder that occurred many years previously (Sleeping Murder has this plot device too). Is quite interesting in a slow-burning sort of way: we initially have no information on what crime has been committed, or even if one has, and are slowly fed information as to what Miss Marple is supposed to be investigating. Just getting the background is a puzzle in itself!

From then on things proceed in more whodunnit sort of fashion, resulting in a solid conclusion.

Not entirely engaging though. Because of the initial lack of information things are quite murky. Characters aren't overly interesting either, a consistent issue with the second season of Miss Marple - the characters in the first season were much more colourful.

Overall, a solid instalment in the Miss Marple series.

The Pope has died. In order to determine the next Pope all the Catholic Cardinals across the world gather in the Vatican to vote - a conclave. Managing the conclave is Cardinal Lawrence, Dean of the College of Cardinals and the man generally responsible for administrative matters. He is determined to run the conclave in an orderly manner and not let his own views on the most suitable candidate affect his duties. However, neutrality proves difficult when so much is at stake and the leading candidates are so polarising.

A great drama, turning the election of the Pope into a tense political thriller. The story unfolds like a murder drama, with titbits of information being revealed, slowly building a picture of the leading candidates and the path ahead. Some great twists and turns, some quite unexpected.

More than just a drama it plays out like a documentary too, showing how Popes are determined. Is apparently quite accurate in that regard and the process is fascinating to watch.

Some great themes too, with one of these having a large bearing on the outcome.

Holding this all together and giving the film the gravitas it deserves is Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence. An extraordinary performance by him, engaging and riveting. He is in just about every scene and doesn't put a foot wrong. In my view he should have got the Best Actor Oscar, however instead it went to Adrien Brody (The Brutalist).

The film was headed to be remembered as something close to a masterpiece but unfortunately there's one twist too many at the end. While this was consistent with the themes developed earlier, especially those of tolerance, love and acceptance, it feels like it is jammed in for the sake of an agenda and to create controversy.

Until then the writer and director had managed to avoid being overtly political. While it is clear where they stand on certain issues from the start, and none of these views were particularly radical nor controversial, these views were plot devices rather than rammed-down-your-throat views. The final twist is much more agenda-driven and is bound to polarise audiences, which is unfortunate as this took the shine off the film - until then it was nicely balanced and the main point had already been made.