They Do It with Mirrors

Julie McKenzie steps into the role of Miss Marple for Season 4 and I'm enjoying it. Like Geraldine McEwan, she has to make-do with retelling of Agatha Christie's books. But I have to admit I am enjoying the later series with both actresses. McKenzie adds her own qualities to the role, including a sedate appearance and quieter persona. She doesn't try to be cute, stuffy ,etc. Although "Mirrors" was never one of my favorite books, I've enjoyed this very loose adaptation. They could have left the schmaltzy Joan Collins out, but she has a small role. The other actors are fine including the actress who plays Carrie Louise. I've loved her in "Dr Who" and "Shawn of the Dead." The scenery is lovely too.

Although I don't care for these retelling of Agatha Christie's well-known books, I am letting that go. Thank goodness they ditched the silly background music, garish backgrounds and dizzying camera work.

It's fairly safe to state that the best entries in the "Agatha Christie's Marple" series are the ones that are also based on actual Miss Marple novels. The series exists of 23 feature films, whereas the amazing Mrs. Christie only ever wrote 12 novels with Miss Marple as protagonist. These 12 were all adapted into screenplays, evidently, as well as 2 short stories merged into one, but for the remaining ten others, the creators of the show based themselves on non-Marple murder whodunits, and then processed Miss Marple into them. Although always enjoyable, and sometimes even downright good movies, the actual Marple adaptations are slightly better, simply because they come across as more natural. "They do it with Mirrors" is such a Marple-original, and easily one of the best - say, top five - films of the series.

What else contributes to this being a great effort? Agatha Christie's marvelously twisted and imaginative plot, of course! The setting is terrific, with murder and attempted murder in an aristocratic family that also runs a reform-institution for delinquent young men, jealousy, adultery, former lovers and theatrical red herrings. The performances are also stellar, with as most astounding names Brian Cox and Joan Collins. The latter sadly only has a minor role, but - the diva she is - steals the show in every sequence she appears. After three installments, I also finally accepted Julia McKenzie as the replacement of the - in my humble opinion - far superior Geraldine McEwan.

Miss Marple goes to a reformatory for boys to visit her friend Carrie- Louise. She is slowly being poisoned by an unknown hand and Miss Marple is investigating. Soon after arriving, Carrie-Louise's stepson is murdered. Just about everybody in the house has a perfect alibi and there is no apparent motive for the murder.

Reasonably interesting. As with the average Miss Marple mystery the mystery is a fairly dry affair, livened up by an interesting sub-plot or two.

Some big names in the supporting cast and their performances are a bit hit-and-miss. Brian Cox and Ian Ogolvy are great in their roles but Joan Collins is very irritating, and stereotypically American to the point of cartoonishness, in her part. Alexei Sayle is there to provide some light relief but just comes off as incredibly stupid and hammy.

"The Do It With Mirrors" is arguably one of Christie's lesser novels. Julia McKenzie does a good job of trying to keep it together, but the addition of the always-lousy Joan Collins was a mistake. So was the re-telling of the story, which has been done with every actress to play Miss Marple, including my all-favorite, Joan Hickson. I have Hickson's version and it's a "mod" mess with psychedelic stage plays! So I haven't really seen "Mirrors" with any actress that's worth it's salt. The problem with this series production team is the writing! All the actors try their best but they simply don't have good scripts. What a shame because we're all looking forward to a good Miss Marple series. I do enjoy McKenzie, especially in "Pocketful of Rye." I'll just check it out to see if this gets better. In the meantime, I have them on old-fashioned videotape.

This is one of the better Miss Marple adaptations starring JULIA McKENZIE as the clever sleuth who solves a few murders while helping detectives solve the case.

Without giving the plot away, it's safe to say that THEY DO IT WITH MIRRORS refers to the old theatrical expression used to explain theater magic. Here it becomes a vital part of the plot, the revelation of which should come as no great surprise to mystery fans.

BRIAN COX is fine in the central role of Louis Serrocold and all of the other British players are well cast. McKenzie seems to be settling into her role with ease and comfort, but her ability to see through a maze of relationships and clues remains a bit far fetched. Nevertheless, the story has enough ingredients to hold one's interest until the solution is revealed.

Well worth watching, especially for Marple fans. The only false note is JOAN COLLINS' flamboyant performance as Ruth. Her opening scene, especially, with Miss Marple is poorly written and directed.

Trivia note: ELLIOT COWAN who plays the American Wally, is (excuse the expression) a dead ringer for Heath Ledger--even has some of his mannerisms. Incredible likeness.