AGATHA (1979: Dir. Michael Apted)
A notorious failure upon its original release, this speculative mystery features one of Vanessa Redgrave's most heart-breaking performances as the emotionally fragile author Agatha Christie. A somewhat miscast Dustin Hoffman, is suitably believable as a persevering American reporter trying to investigate Christie's mysterious disappearance, but his short stature makes his attractiveness to the statuesque Redgrave nearly risible during their love scenes. A gallery of solid supporting talent is on hand including the wandering-eyed warmth of Paul Brooke as Hoffman's fellow journalist, and the stiff-mustachioed arrogance of Timothy Dalton (Redgrave's real-life paramour at the time) as her husband. The authentically lush period details of a conservative Twenties Britain are exquisitely captured by the painterly palette of cinematographer Vittorio Storaro (Apocalypse Now), creating a moody tale that grows in the memory. DVD REGION 1 & 2
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