The film, a rather mindless piece soufflee, uses an Agatha Christie work as its basis.
Five guests visit a rich widow in her palatial sea-side estate: her nephew, his wife, his ex-wife, a female employee, a gigolo friend of the nephew's current wife, and a male friend of the family, concerned about the ex-wife. A prominent elderly detective friend of the family joins them for dinner and tantalizes them with a story of child [sex undisclosed] who had killed another child [sex undisclosed] with a bow and arrow. "I would recognize the child [who murdered but was never charged] by a physical trait." Of course, each of the people in the room have a unique physical trait.
When the detective returns to his hotel, he finds the elevator out of order and must climb to the top floor where he is staying. He dies of a heart attack. Is it murder or just bad luck?
During the night of the next evening, the elderly wealthy lady is murdered and all the evidence points to the nephew. A Columbo-type detective on vacation is called in to help solve the case. As usual with Christie, there are several red-herrings and twists and turns.
The entire film plays like an artificial stage French farce. There is even comic relief from a short butler and his amorous housekeeper who overhear an incriminating argument while they have sex in a doorway. The housekeeper is called to act nervous, drop things, and scream.
Toward Zero (2007) **
Five guests visit a rich widow in her palatial sea-side estate: her nephew, his wife, his ex-wife, a female employee, a gigolo friend of the nephew's current wife, and a male friend of the family, concerned about the ex-wife. A prominent elderly detective friend of the family joins them for dinner and tantalizes them with a story of child [sex undisclosed] who had killed another child [sex undisclosed] with a bow and arrow. "I would recognize the child [who murdered but was never charged] by a physical trait." Of course, each of the people in the room have a unique physical trait.
When the detective returns to his hotel, he finds the elevator out of order and must climb to the top floor where he is staying. He dies of a heart attack. Is it murder or just bad luck?
During the night of the next evening, the elderly wealthy lady is murdered and all the evidence points to the nephew. A Columbo-type detective on vacation is called in to help solve the case. As usual with Christie, there are several red-herrings and twists and turns.
The entire film plays like an artificial stage French farce. There is even comic relief from a short butler and his amorous housekeeper who overhear an incriminating argument while they have sex in a doorway. The housekeeper is called to act nervous, drop things, and scream.
Toward Zero (2007) **
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