CB STRIKE/THE SILKWORM

UK, 2017, 110 minutes, Colour.
Tom Burke, Holliday Grainger, Monica Dolan, Kerr Logan, Tim Mc Inerney, Lia Williams.
Directed by Kieron Hawkes.

The Cuckoo's Calling is the first in a television series, CB Strike, based on the novels by Robert Galbraith, the alias for Harry Potter's J.K. Rowling. The other two in the series are The Silkworm, Career of Evil. Then Lethal White.

The films are very well-written, incorporating the key elements of the novels into a two hour running time. The first film, however, is a bit longer, because it fills in in effective brief detail, the background of the central character, Cormoran Strike, alienated son of a famous pop star, his mother having committed suicide, his being in the military, wounded in Afghanistan and losing a leg, failing in relationship with Charlotte his fiancee, setting up as a private eye in central London. It also fills in something of the background of Robin, who answers an advertisement and becomes his assistant, especially in her engagement to a man who does not approve of Strike and Robin working for him.

Tom Burke looks the part of Strike and communicates his eccentric character, his drive, his drinking, his sometimes slovenly living, but his ability to follow clues, interrogate people, draw conclusions. Holliday Grainger also fits the part of Robin particularly well, their making an odd investigative couple.

The story is set in the literary and publishing world of London. An eccentric writer is found dead, mutilated, in an old house in West London. Previously, his wife had approached Strike to contact him, then to find him. However, due to circumstances, she is arrested, putting a strain on her and her mentally disabled daughter.

Strike and Robin continue the investigations so well established in the first film. Robin also has difficulties with her fiance, the impending wedding, the invitation to Strike who doesn't want to go, Robin having to face decisions whether she wants her career as an investigator or not, and at what cost.

The dead author had written an aggressive novel in which most of his friends appear as characters and are attacked and criticised. They include his publisher, his editor, his agent, a rival author whose wife had committed suicide because of an attack by parody on her work.

There is a strong cast in the supporting roles, a lot of interrogations, moving around London and an authentic atmosphere, a trip to Devon.

And, somewhat in Agatha Christie vein, the main suspects are all assembled and Strike reveals all.

1. The detective stories of Robert Galbraith/ JK Rowling? Mystery? Detection?

2. The character of Cormoran Strike, age, war, injury, personality and character? His collaboration with Robin?

3. The London settings, Islington to Talgarth Road, Soho? An authentic feel of the city?

4. The musical score?

5. The opening, the woman and the suicide note, her suicide? The introduction to the world of writers?

6. Owen and his publisher, the discussion, Owen leaving the publisher? His books, the manuscript, his work with his agent, the rivalry with his fellow novelist? The setting for the drama and the murder?

7. Leonora, coming to the office, wanting the phone call? Searching for her husband? Strike not taking the money? His being busy, discussions with Robin? Leonora upset, asking is Strike to find her husband? His going to her house? Her relationship with the Dodo, Dodo and her mental disabilities, her drawing, her bag and stealing things, wanting her Daddy? Leonora giving the key to the other house? The visit of the editor to Leonora? Drinking?

8. Robin, her commitment to Strike, love of her work, the relationship with Matt, going for drinks, Matt not liking Strike, the invitation to the wedding? Strike and his reaction? Matt and his mother’s death, Robin delaying, driving Strike to Devon? Her upset and not getting the promotion? Strike and his explanation, his own career choices, choosing his career over Charlotte? The same dilemma for Robin? Matt returning to London, Robin explaining her choices?

9. Strike finding the body, the ritual disembowelment? The relationship to the novel, the film visualising the extreme rituals written in the novel? The novel and its attacks on Owen and all his friends and associates? Their reactions?

10. Leonora, her arrest, the buying of the burqa with the credit card, her background as butcher, her knowledge of her husband? The arrest, the role of the police? Fixed ideas
on Leonora's guilt? Strike confronting the police officer (who was grateful for Strike saving his life)? The interview with the lawyer, Leonora upset, in prison?

11. The interviewing of the characters, the drive to Devon, the publisher, his houseboy and hostility, offering £10,000 as a reward, the invitation to the party? The discussions with the editor and his style? The agent and her sharp presence, her past relationships with the authors, her anger? Robin following Fancourt, to the cemetery, the manuscript on the grave? The satire on his wife's work? The interview at the party?

12. Robin, going to the house, encountering Dodo, Dodo wanting to steal something, permission to look in the bag, finding the original manuscript? Dodo upset at Robin leaving?

13. The discussion with the editor, the issues of style, the semicolons? Going to the expert, comparisons of texts, Strike and his conclusions?

14. The gathering of all those concerned, Strike offering the solution? The truth? The agent, the complications of her relationships, her revenge? The running, Robin pursuing her and catching her?

15. The solution of the case, the satisfaction, Strike offering to pay for Robin’s course?