Sleuth is one of those films that has so many plot twists that it is impossible to discuss it without giving away spoilers. I was able to guess several of the 'surprises' well in advance, but doing so didn't take anything away from my appreciation of the film's quality.
The film begins with businessman Milo Tindle (Michael Caine) visiting blue blooded detective novelist Andrew Wyke (Laurence Olivier) at his English estate. Tindle owns several hairdressing salons, and has been sleeping with Wyke's estranged wife.
Wyke does not seem to a bear a grudge, however. Wyke shows Tindle his eccentric collection of noisy mechanical toys, then reveals why he has sent for Tindle. Wyke wants him to rob his house, and abscond with a fortune in jewels. Wyke collects the insurance money, while Tindle can afford his new mistress.
Of course, although Wyke has a mistress of his own, he is not as generous as he seems. He is setting Tindle up, but he soon learns that two can play at that game.
Game playing is what Wyke is all about. It is no wonder that he writes detective stories, in which his master sleuth character repeatedly demonstrates his superiority over the clueless police. Wyke believes that his success comes from breeding rather than inherited wealth, giving him the right to sneer at a money-grubbing businessman such as Tindle. But, Wyke may not be as clever as he thinks he is, creating a weakness of vanity for Tindle to exploit.
Director Joseph L. Mankiewicz had a bitter battle with the film's producer, Edgar J. Scherick. Scherick had wanted to cut several scenes, to pare the 138 minute running length. Mankiewicz managed to have the scenes restored, however, Sleuth became the final film of his career. His legacy as a writer, producer and director had stretched over four decades, and included such classics as All About Eve (1950).
Sleuth has a wordy but clever script, full of great lines. Most of them go to Olivier, who is more than up to the task of delivering them. Both the script and the play from which it was adapted were written by the same man, Anthony Shaffer. It was a banner year for Shaffer, as he also wrote the script for Frenzy (1972).
Only three actors appear in the film. Alec Cawthorne sees perhaps ten minutes as Inspector Doppler. The cast lists fictional additional actors (e.g. Margo Channing, Bette Davis' character from All About Eve). This was done to help prevent first time viewers from guessing the plot's machinations.
Although Sleuth was a not a box office smash, it did receive several major Academy Award nominations, for Best Actor (Olivier, Caine), Best Director (Mankiewicz), and Best Score (John Addison). (80/100)
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