Review of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple: 4:50 from Paddington

This is my first experience with Joan Hickson as Agatha Christie's second most famous sleuth, Miss Marple, so I will refrain from making any strong judgements on her portrayal yet (after all, she doesn't really get THAT much screen time here, as Lucy Eyelesbarrow and the two police inspectors have at least equal, if not bigger in Lucy's case, parts). As for the film itself, I found it fair but a bit plodding. The script and direction hold your attention without ever really cranking up the suspense, and the performances are perfectly fine without being outstanding. It's a film that gets the job done, but rarely (as in a moment where the first victim's boss recollects her past) goes above that level. Fans of grand old English country houses will get an eyeful, in any case. (**1/2)