KFOG REVIEW: “MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS” & “LADY BIRD”
The 6th major adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel of the same name is directed by and stars Kenneth Branagh as famed detective Hercule Poirot. He’s joined by a cavalcade of stars including Daisy Ridley, Leslie Odom Jr., Penelope Cruz, Josh Gad, Johnny Depp, Sir Derek Jacobi, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dame Judi Dench, Olivia Colman, and Willem Dafoe. Unfortunately all that star power isn’t enough to bring the train into the station of memorable movies.
A much better option is “Lady Bird” which is the directorial debut of Greta Gerwig. Set in Sacramento and following high school senior Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, the film has one of the most complete performances of a leading young female character I’ve seen in quite some time. Saoirse Ronan shines as Lady Bird, and is joined by Laurie Metcalf, Lucas Hedges, and Tracy Letts.