In this most recent TV version of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, Geraldine Macewan brings some refreshing vigor and humor to the role of the spinster sleuth. Whether she's making the police look foolish for refusing to cooperate, or working her way into the confidence of witnesses and suspects, Macewan's Marple is always a pleasure to watch.
Of the four Macewan Marples I've seen, "A Murder is Announced" does not have the strongest supporting cast and this was perhaps the only significant weakness of this very well done mystery.
On the other hand, the screenplay is good, and at times quite clever. Whether it comes close to the quality of the Agatha Christie text, however, is something else again. But it's TV after all, remember that.
The Macewan Marples do offer a lot technically with very nice camera work; lighting, staging and editing which arguably serve as a partial justification for a remake of the series.
But it is Geraldine Macewan's presence on the screen which is the single best reason to view this latest incarnation of Miss Jane Marple. Macewan has this entire catalogue of facial expressions which serve as part of her take on the role. 7/10 for A Murder is Announced.
Of the four Macewan Marples I've seen, "A Murder is Announced" does not have the strongest supporting cast and this was perhaps the only significant weakness of this very well done mystery.
On the other hand, the screenplay is good, and at times quite clever. Whether it comes close to the quality of the Agatha Christie text, however, is something else again. But it's TV after all, remember that.
The Macewan Marples do offer a lot technically with very nice camera work; lighting, staging and editing which arguably serve as a partial justification for a remake of the series.
But it is Geraldine Macewan's presence on the screen which is the single best reason to view this latest incarnation of Miss Jane Marple. Macewan has this entire catalogue of facial expressions which serve as part of her take on the role. 7/10 for A Murder is Announced.