A One Mann’s Movies review of “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” (2022).
“Knives Out” was my number 3 film of 2019. Could I hope that the sequel might match it? I’m delighted to say “Yes, yes, yes”! Because with “Glass Onion” Rian Johnson has managed to land a sequel that is equally as entertaining, albeit in slightly different ways.
Bob the Movie Man Rating(s):
Plot Summary:
Billionaire Miles Bron (Edward Norton) invites a bunch of his “disruptor” friends on a murder mystery weekend on his private Greek island, replete with a magnificent crystal “Glass Onion” dome. However, also invited is master sleuth Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig). Has the cock-sure Bron made a mistake in inviting the expert along to the show?
Certification:
UK: 12; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC: “infrequent strong language, moderate sex references, violence, drug misuse”).
Talent:
Starring: Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kate Hudson, Dave Bautista, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jnr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline.
Directed by: Rian Johnson.
Written by: Rian Johnson.
Twitter Handles: #KnivesOut; #GlassOnion.
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” Review:
Positives:
- Sometimes I watch a movie at the cinema and get a stupid grin on my face for the whole running time. And this was one such film. The script is both fiendishly clever and also surprisingly funny. I laughed out loud on more than a dozen occasions, both from the fiendish plot twists, some funny visual gags (Jeremy Renner’s hot suace – LOL) and some surprising cameos. (I won’t spoil these, but one of them is very touching, given the circumstances. Some – having since read the cast list on IMDB – I never spotted so will have to keep my eyes peeled on the rewatch. And one, which I will spoil since you’ll never guess it, is Joseph Gordon-Levitt as the ‘hourly bong’!).
- Although it will quickly make the movie feel dated, I also liked how the film set itself firmly in 2020, with masks and all. (At least that will hopefully get it a release in the Chinese market!)
- As for “Knives Out“, the ensemble cast is magnificent.
- Kate Hudson is simply fabulous as Birdie Jay, the flamboyant twittering model, in a role that reminded me of Toni Collette’s wonderful turn in the first movie.
- Janelle Monáe also delivers a magnificent screen presence. I loved her glowering sultry appearances in the first reel of the film, accompanied with a very Beethoven-esque riff in the soundtrack (by Rian’s brother Nathan Johnson).
- Leslie Odom Jnr. – Does the guy ever do a duff film?
- Kathryn Haan – superb. (Was it Agatha all along??)
- Edward Norton. What a class act!
- But it’s Daniel Craig’s show, and he seems to be having a riot as the super-sleuth. Debonair, flamboyant, very much at ease in the role. And I somehow didn’t find his accent quite as annoying as I did in the first film.
- Rather as Kenneth Branagh did with Poirot in the recent version of “Death on the Nile“, the script at least starts to peel away some of the mystique around Benois Blanc. We know he spends a long time in the bath, frustrated at the lack of mental stimulation between cases. We know that he lives with a male companion (Phillip… one of the excellent cameos referred to above). Although it’s left to speculation as to whether he is a platonic flat-sharer, a gay lover or a butler/cook. And we know that Blanc likes his classic movies! He states “My God, it’s full of stars” on seeing the Glass Onion for the first time, which made me snort with laughter. Bravo Mr Johnson!
- The epic scope of the movie also reminded me of “Death on the Nile” (in a good way), and it shows that Netflix is not short of a few bob to throw at their projects. It actually surprises me that the budget – $40 million – wasn’t a lot more. I would have thought that the rental of Bron’s yacht on its own would have equalled the budget of many a small indie film.
Negatives
- My main criticism of “Glass Onion” is about the distribution: not about the movie.
- <rant_on>
- Because this is a tremendous film, with beautiful cinematography and epic vistas that DESERVES to be seen on the biggest screen possible. And yet BLOODY NETFLIX only give this a limited release before they rush it out to streaming just before Christmas. It seems to have been on for only 5 days in my local – non-regular – cinema. Don’t get me wrong, this is a really special Christmas treat that millions of people will, I’m sure, enjoy unwrapping on Christmas Day. But it really galls me that Netflix have so little respect for the art of cinema that they deprive audiences of getting to see it where it really should be seen: on the big screen.
- <rant_off>.
- The ending is rather preposterous. Clever. But preposterous.
Summary Thoughts on “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”
This is a terrifically enjoyable romp, with a fabulous ensemble cast and a wickedly clever and funny script. You even get the Beatles titular track over the end titles. What’s not to love?
It seems to be leaving most UK cinemas TODAY (November 29th 2022). So if you are not doing anything this evening and want a fun night out, I’d suggest you take this last chance to see it. If I didn’t have a chums reunion tonight, I’d be going to see it again!
Trailer for “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gj5ibYSz8C0 . This is a really well-put together trailer too! The trailer is not too spoilerish and is particularly entertaining once you’ve watched the film.
