CURTAIN: POIROT’S LAST CASE

UK, 2013, 89 minutes, Colour.
David Suchet, Helen Baxendale, Hugh Fraser, Anne Reid, John Standing, Aidan Mc Ardle, Philip Glenister, Adam Englander, Alice Orr -Ewing, Shaun Dingwall, Matthew Mc Nulty, Anna Madeley, Claire Keelan, David Yelland.
Directed by Hettie Mc Donald.

Fans of Agatha Christie had high expectations for this final Poirot story. And it comes at the end of the television series of Agatha Christie mysteries with David Suchet bringing to an end 70 films as Poirot, beginning in 1989, ending in 2013. Suchet was 43 when he began the series and ended it at 67. Hugh Fraser, in fact, was a year older than David Suchet.

This is a rather dark film, even the photography is dark, especially the interiors of the mansion at Styles, the mansion where Poirot and Hastings began their investigations, the first of Agatha Christie’s novels. There is memory of the initial crime – and some more repercussions.

Poirot is old, sick, confined to a wheelchair, letting his servant, George, go and taking on a strong man who can lift him and carry him. And, this is one of the misleading aspects of the screenplay. The first two thirds of the film, while Poirot is present, he is somewhat in the background. Then he dies. But, with the device of leaving a manuscript for Hastings to read to get the solution of the crime, the final third has a very strong portrayal, giving David Suchet the opportunity to bring his expert performance as Poirot to a climax. And, climax it is, with some readers and audiences shocked that Poirot could execute the villain – with discussions about justice and also with Poirot’s Catholicism and talk of God’s forgiveness.

There is the usual gathering of characters, tensions between them, including Hasting’s daughter Julia whom Hastings has come to visit after the death of his wife. One of the interesting aspects is that Hastings, disliking the man that his daughter seems to be infatuated with, begins a plan to kill him. He repents and regrets.

Aidan Mc Ardle is very good as the seemingly meek and mild visitor, a mother’s boy, observing, stammering, but insinuating himself into the lives of all the guests. He is particularly effective in the final confrontation with Poirot, smug and arrogant, shocked that Poirot is to execute him.

While some were disappointed with this conclusion to Poirot’s career, Agatha Christie has once again been ingenious in dramatising his final case and his death.

1. The popularity of the television series of Agatha Christie mysteries, with David Suchet as Poirot? 70 films, this film the culmination? The series beginning in 1989, David Suchet 43 at the time? This last film, 2013, David Suchet at 67?

2. Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles? Poirot’s first case? This finale and a return to Styles, further enlightenment on the initial mystery, the daughter of the murdered man? The involvement of other characters in that mystery?

3. Poirot, old age, infirm, his appearance, health, in the wheelchair? His being cared for? The daughter and her care? The couple and the administration of the house? The ironies of the later development of the plot, Poirot dismissing George, his faithful servant, because he would recognise that Poirot was not infirm as he claimed? Taking on of the strong assistant who could carry Poirot? Then the revelations that Poirot could walk, and the significance of this for the plot developments? David Suchet’s performance, exhibiting Poirot’s illness and weakness, yet his strength and determination?

4. Poirot dying two thirds of the way through the film? A seeming lesser performance? The last third of the film, the flashbacks, and the final strength of David Suchet’s performance?

5. Readers’ response to this last Poirot story? Grim? And Poirot and the execution of Norton? Readers and audiences Approving or not? Justice issues, the law and administering justice? The religious dimension? Poirot and the background of his Catholicism? His comments about God and forgiveness? Praying the rosary?

6. Hastings, the long friendship, involvement with the cases, his frequent non-comprehending? The death of his wife, the presence of his daughter, the reunion with Poirot? His concern about Poirot’s health? His daughter and her forthrightness about the value of life? His reaction to seeing her with Allerton? The temptation to kill Allerton? Poirot drugging him, setting up the situation? His change of heart and regrets? Poirot and his warning about a murder to be committed? Hastings and his apprehension? Poirot reprimanding him? Telling him about the clues, the box? And Hastings reading the manuscript?

7. Those present at the mansion? The Luttrells, buying the building, its need for repair? The original owners, the background of the murder at Styles? Elizabeth and her presence, the memories, melancholic, playing the piano, observing? Allerton, his reputation, his charm? Nurse Craven and her care for Mrs Franklin? Mrs Franklin,
hypochondriac, moody? Ambitions? Her flirting with Carrington? Dr Franklin, his research, relationship with his wife?

8. The presence of Norton? The story about his living with his mother? His stammer, seeming friendship? The discussions at table, the value of life? His binoculars, coy about what he saw?

9. Julia, misunderstood by her father, her relationship with Dr Franklin, his assistant? Mrs Franklin’s death? Julia to marry Dr Franklin?

10. Mrs Franklin, her death?

11. The drink, the drug, Poirot moving the cups?

12. The buildup to Poirot and his death? The pathos?

13. Four months later? Hastings reading Poirot’s document? The strong portrait of Poirot in the flashbacks? His knowledge of the situation, reading of characters? The revelation about Norton? Norton’s background, rejection by his mother, his malice, in the first affair at Styles, insinuating, understanding people psychology, using it? Misleading about Julia and Allerton? Misleading Hastings? Insinuations about Dr Franklin? The confrontations with Poirot? Poirot and the invitation to his room, the confrontation and explanation? Norton’s superiority, Poirot saying he would execute him? Norton’s arrogance? Poirot, the dressing gown, misleading Hastings, going to the room, the duplicate key, the gun, shooting Norton?

14. The aftermath, Poirot and his issues of justice, religious issues, God and forgiveness? And dramatic ending to Poirot’s life and career?