I have devoured all of Richard Osman’s books, so was delighted when news broke that his debut novel was being made into a film directed by Chris Columbus. I had mixed thoughts about the cast. Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Celia Imrie all seemed to fit their parts but Pierce Brosnan appeared to be all wrong for a role that would have fitted Phil Davis perfectly, even if he is not such a big name.
Elizabeth (Mirren), Ron (Brosnan), Ibrahim (Kingsley), and Joyce (Imrie) are four retirees who spend their time solving cold case murders for fun. When the unexplained death of a property developer occurs on their own doorstep, their casual sleuthing takes a turn as they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands.
It is always difficult seeing a book you have enjoyed being adapted into a movie, as there inevitably will be a lot left out. In this case, writers Katy Brand and Suzanne Heathcote have done a good job at mostly keeping the murder plot intact, even if there is one big change about the murderer. They have sacrificed quite a lot of the quintessentially British humour, which is understandable with an international audience in mind.
Mirren and Kingsley are as perfect in their roles as I hoped and I am sure many readers were picturing those two performers. Imrie is fine but her Joyce is much more knowing and less naïve than in the books. However, as feared Brosnan is badly miscast. His cockney accent keeps slipping and he is not at all convincing as the feisty ex trade union leader. My favourite performance, though, was by Daniel Mays as the permanently exasperated DCI Chris Hudson.
In the end, a TV series might have suited the material better but this light but very watchable cosy crime movie is just right for a rainy afternoon.
The Thursday Murder Club is showing in selected Picturehouse, Everyman and Independent cinemas as well as on Netflix.
Rating: 7.5 out of 10