In for a Murder

It's a very well done "light" who-done-it that cleverly uses a number of conventions of Hollywood films of the fifties. The cinematography is excellent with some really beautifully constructed scenes. Anna Smolowik as Magda is wonderful as is Pavel Domagala (Jacek), Przemyslav Stippa (Tomasz) and the supporting cast. Congratulations to the entire team that brought this entertaining and well-crafted film to Netflix!

But who is, am I right? That aside, if you are into crime and whodunnit movies ... trying to figure out, what happened, who is the culprit and actually guilty ... well you are in for a treat with this movie. It's not great but it is funny and light overall. And it has quite the charismatic lead character.

Of course you may feel different about her, but overall I think most will take a liking to her. That being said, if you find her annoying, the movie won't work either. Her character is meant to be a certain way - all in the name of entertainment and fun of course. Not great by any account, but fun if you let it be.

Beautifully photographed film from Poland, listed as a comedy.

It really isn't strictly a comedy, but it has humor. The main character is Magda (Magda Smolowik) discovers a body while walking her dog. Her ex-boyfriend is the detective in charge of the case. She considers herself an amateur detective due to all the Agatha Christie books she's read so she basically drives him nuts.

It seems like wherever he goes to conduct an interview, she's there and tries to hide. Quite funny.

Later there is another murder.

The mystery is around a necklace worn by not only the victims but Magda's friend who disappeared years earlier. The necklace has the initial of each woman.

On the home front, Magda has a bad marriage and a controlling husband whom she realizes is cheating as a result of her work on the case.

The acting is good, I loved the scenery and homes, but this didn't hold my interest. Magda is a likable character, but the mystery wasn't enough.

A sort of combination between Miss Marple and Mrs Pepperpot. A beautifully shot and easy going film that parodies a little. The lead lady was the main star and deservedly so - playing the part beautifully.

Worth watching in anyone's book who likes proper films.

Scenario: the town of Podkowa Lesna about 50 kilometers southwest of Warsaw. Characters: Magda, her husband Tomasz, Jacek (Magda's childhood sweetheart, now a police officer), Dr. Walczak (a veterinarian), Robert (a pnony clairvoyant and healer), etc. Plot: Magda takes her dog for a walk in a park and finds a body, A piece of jewelry (a W-shaped gold pendant) links the victim with Magda's best childhood friend Weronika, who disappeared without a trace 15 years ago.

For the rest of the movie Magda tries to solve the enigma with varying success, helped/hindered by Jacek, Robert, Dr. Walczak and other town characters. At the end, everything falls into place like in an Agatha Christie novel. A subplot (which also finds solution at the end) is Magda's relation with her cold, borderline abuser husband.

I liked this movie. Production values are high including music (which quotes several times Bernard Herrmann's themes for Hitchcock). Acting is good all around (not unusual in Polish movies). Anna Smolowik playing Magda carries the movie (she is in almost every scene) with the help of her considerable charisma. Credibility is strained here and there and some comedy sequences (including a little slapstick) are perhaps not as funny as they should be but the result is an entertaining movie, well worth watching.