Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
While I’m sure that he will continue to do original work in the future, I think I would honestly be content with Rian Johnson making Benoit Blanc mysteries with Daniel Craig, if that is their desire. The truth is, Johnson really gets the way these murder mysteries should function. That being said, one of the functions of this series for Johnson is to comment on political issues that he’s intrigued by. That has been the case with all three of the Blanc films he’s made up until now, and it would have to be an important part of any one he makes in the future.
Johnson understands how to pace these films. This was nearly 2 1/2 hours long and it moved at a brisk pace, all the while laying out the mystery with peak intricacy. We begin with a story being written, and read by Blanc. In a small town, a young priest, Fr. Jud Duplenticy (Josh O’Connor), has been assigned after a run-in with another priest. He is working under Mons. Jefferson Wicks (Josh Brolin), whose firebrand rhetoric has alienated many in town but a few acolytes. He does weekly prayer sessions with each, and takes Jud in, albeit reluctantly. His parishioners do not trust the younger priest, so when Wicks dies mysteriously during Good Friday service, all suspicion points to Fr. Duplenticy. Enter Benoit Blanc, and let the uncovering of the crime unfold.
What is it about someone like Wicks where they can have such a hold on a congregation? What is it about the lure of money and power that makes people, even those sworn to honor God, corruptible? For Wicks’s congregation, he just wasn’t someone who led them to find God and Jesus Christ- he was an incorrigible, but charismatic, speaker, whose fire and fury from the pulpit is something that connects with a lot people of faith, and is the tactic of a lot of people who speak of faith and forgiveness, but have other messages in their heart. One of his flock is a young Republican operative, Cy Draven (Daryl McCormack), whose message hasn’t resonated. He is looked after by a lawyer, Vera Draven, Esq. (Kerry Washington), in town, who has secrets she keeps. Wick’s assistant, Martha Delacroix (Glenn Close), is also untrusting of the new priest, and knows the history of the church, even that which may bring spectacle to the forefront. There’s a doctor (Jeremy Renner) and a writer (Andrew Scott) in this close group, as well. The local law enforcement is personified by Chief Geraldine Scott (Mila Kunis).
In each of his Benoit Blanc films, Johnson has set up a scenario where it feels like it can only be one person, but we find that others are the real culprit, often due to their own greed- or stupidity. What makes these films so compelling and entertaining to watch are the delightful charisma of Blanc, as well as the ways in which the supporting cast bounce off of him. There’s always one person that stands out, and this time, it’s O’Connor’s Ft. Duplenticy, and between this, “The Mastermind” and “Rebuilding” the actor has had a wonderful fall, and he gets great scene partners from the bloviating Brolin, the unusual Close, and arrogant McCormack and every other actor. It all comes down to Blanc, however, and once again, Craig is having the time of his life in the role. Each film has their own energy and ideas, but Blanc is the glue that holds them together. I do hope we get more mysteries with him in the future.
