CB STRIKE: CAREER OF EVIL.
UK, 2017, 100 minutes, Colour.
Tom Burke, Holliday Grainger, Neil Maskell, Kerr Logan, Killian Scott, Ann Arkin, Ben Crompton, Andrew Brooke,
Directed by Charles Sturridge.
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, CCuckoo's Calling. 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.
In Career of Evil, Strike is comfortable in his work with Robin. She is about to marry her fiance, Matthew, but discovers a relationship from his past. Part of the tension of the film is her upset and the audience wondering whether she will forgive him or not.
Strike himself is under suspicion for the murder of a young prostitute. A dismembered leg has been sent to Robin in the office which leads to the opening up of Strike's work and policing, his investigation and sending a military official who had abused his daughter to jail. This man becomes one of the suspects for the murder. There is also an entanglement with a man who had been involved with a music band and with Strike's mother. And the third is a violent man who married, robbed his wife, is sadistic.
There are some dangers to Robin as she investigates the case, tracking down the identities of the suspects before the police do. Ultimately, various suspects are eliminated and there is a confrontation between Strike and the murderer. Strike also has an associate who is able to track down various suspects as well as to come to Strike's rescue when needed.
Robin gets a shock, as does the audience, when Strikes accuses her of unprofessional conduct. However, he comes to his senses and gets his associate to drive him, speedily, to Yorkshire in time for Matthew and Robin's wedding.
The film was directed by veteran British director of film and television, Charles Sturridge.
1. The detective stories of Robert Galbraith/ J K Rowling? Mystery? Detection?
2. The character of Cormoran Strike, age, war, injury, personality and character? His collaboration with Robin?
3. The London settings, an authentic feel of the city? The scenes in other towns, the countryside?
4. The musical score?
5. The opening, the girl getting ready to go out, the apartment, the note, her being killed? Strike at work? Going to the appointment? Under suspicion from the police, watching the surveillance tapes? Robin, at work, the parcel, the leg, her reaction, Strike and the explanations about the leg, the markings, the historical case, Brockbank, the flashbacks to his daughter, the assault? The note and the lyrics of his mother’s song?
6. The interactions with the police, the two inspectors, doing their duty, but doing it slowly? Strike and his interaction with the two offices?
7. The building up of the suspects? Brockbank, his prison term, finding him? Suspicions about Laing/Williams? The interactions with Strike in the past? Whitaker, his relationship with Strike's mother, the discussions, the visit to his mother's grave? The flashbacks to his mother, her death? Whitaker's callous attitude?
8. Matthew, the complications with Robin, the preparation for the wedding, Matthew's confession of the relationship, Robin's dislike of the woman? The break up? The meal with her mother? Matthew and his reaction, asking forgiveness? Robin relenting? The preparation for the marriage? Matthew and his concern about Robin being in danger?
9. The Brockbank story, Robin and her interviews, tracking him down, his identity, his relationships, his partner and her daughter, the partners resentment against Robin, the little girl telling the truth? Brockbank's escape?
10. Laing/Williams? His past, connection with Strike? Robin posing as an insurance officer and getting addresses? His family, his wife, his disappearance, stealing her jewels? His new household, bearded, lame? The revelation that he was pretending to be lame? His apartment? Strike confronting him? The danger, the fight? The material and parts in his
apartment?
11. Shanker, his friendship with Strike, tracking people down, coming to Strike's rescue, driving him to the wedding?
12. The complications of the crime, the motivations, the alternate suspects?
13. Happy ending, the wedding, Strike knocking over the vase, reconciliation with Robin?
