Sleuth

Directed by: Kenneth Branagh
Starring: Jude Law, Michael Caine

Sleuth is the rare breed of remake that can sit comfortably alongside its predecessor. Neither is explicitly better than the other, but both offer their own unique and devilish take on the whipsmart Anthony Shaffer play.

In this version, adapted by the legendary Harold Pinter, Jude Law plays struggling actor/driver Milo Tindle, while Michael Caine (Tindle in the original film) tackles the role of superstar crime author Andrew Wyke. The claustrophobic set of the original, populated with creepy spy dolls has been replaced with a stark and technology-laden design. This is rather symbolic of the differences between the two films. While essentially the same story, this Sleuth is a little sharper and more modern.

The thrust of the film is, thankfully, much the same. Tindle, who's in love with Wyke's wife, visits the author to ask him to grant her a divorce. Their discussion quickly turns into a bizarre jewel heist scheme, which soon explodes into a wickedly smart game of deception, tricks and one-upmanship. It's a two-man competition that's enjoyable on a couple of levels. Watching Law and Caine square off as actors is just as amusing as watching their characters play head games with each other.

To say any more would spoil the fun. While both versions of Sleuth deserve multiple viewings, nothing compares to the thrill of watching this droll little mind-fuck for the first time, and not knowing what's coming next.