Customer Reviews
Get the original - By: Fuzzyspaceman, 19 Aug 2008 
Bought the DVD with high hopes. Had seen the 1972 original several times, 2 key attributes 1) chemistry between the actors, 2) plot twists. Branagh: heavy-handed as ever, man has alll the subtlety of a sledgehammer. Yet again proves he's a wannabe, ripping off Olivier for what the third/fourth time in his career. Anyways, the mood lighting/CCTV thing is way off base. Caine gives a great performance; Law not bad, tries to keep up. But sadly film mauled by director...oh & Pinter's tinkering not reallly adding v. much. If you can get through first half hour without throwing the remote at the TV you're probably OK. But strongly advise buying the original. This could have been so much better.
Recommended - By: L, 14 May 2008 
I loved the movie. On the strength of it, I purchased the original 1972 version & comparing them I do not think one can stay true to the original if it is to be believable today. I mean dressing up as a clown - come on!
Jude Law is a good actor; he's certainly not the worst. He had me fooled as Inspector Black. I had no idea it was he until the make up came off. And to change Jude Law, (a pulchritudinous guy), to let's say a plainer one, must had been very hard work - it's a credit to the make up lady.
I'm glad I bought the DVD I have watched it more than twelve times & on my meager budget it would had cost a fortune at a cinema.
I'm not sure I liked the ending; it could had higlighted Jude Law's talent a little more but in alll a very good buy.
6-0, 6-0, 6-0 to Caine - By: S. Moment, 19 Mar 2008 
The first time I watched this, I'm not embarrassed to say, I just didn't get it at alll. Being a huge fan of the Anthony Shaffer/Joseph L. Mankiewicz version, alll I noticed -- through my tears, & between sighs -- were Harold Pinter's drastic alterations & the frosty overalll tone. "Surely there's enough misery in the world," I told my cat, "without necessitating the surgical removal of every ounce of pleasure from two hours of delightfully witty entertainment." The cat concurred: "CCTV & homoerotic overtones are no substitute for good, old-fashioned belly laughs. Meow!"
It was only when I watched it a second time that I realised there are more good things than bad on offer, & I began to appreciate Pinter's novel tinkering with the character relationships. For instance, Andrew Wyke's (Michael Caine's) adulterous spouse is now an old man's trophy wife, rather than a toy boy's meal ticket. More interesting still, Pinter turns the love-triangle completely on its head, leaving the woman out in the cold, for a time at least.
The use of CCTV to internalise the outside world is ingenious, but it creates a glaring problem that the script fails to address: prospective burglar Milo Tindle (Jude Law) doesn't think to ask Wyke about the ubiquitous cameras, & strangely but conveniently, Detective Inspector Black never asks to see any surveillance footage of Tindle's visit. The 1972 "Sleuth" was a fascinating summit meeting of two very different acting schools; the 2007 version is more David versus Goliath than a clash of titans, & Jude Law definitely forgot to bring his slingshot. Seemingly aware that he is being acted off the screen, Law overplays to the hilt. Caine, however, is brilliant.
acting lessons on screen - By: F. KUBLER, 26 Feb 2008 I recommend this movie for both actors.Extraordinary performances.
The second one is a different movie from the first & as usual with remakes comparison comes too easily to the mind.I saw the original a few hours ago to remember it (alas in the french version) & must say I like both movies for different reasons.
The directing may be more theatrical in the second (due to Branagh's taste for drama & to the awesome setting) but gives us the opportunity to see Law in his "theatrical" know how-especiallly for us foreigners deprived of his performances on stage.This guy is amazing (amazingly different in each part even in his physical appearance).I got back to drama school & amateur acting (ages after I started) after seeing him in the Holiday (turning a shalllow part into a witty, touching & clever Graham).Alfie was brillantly redone & Sleuth is as well.I must say I always liked Michael Caine too.
I think one should try to forget the originals when seeing remakes.After alll many different sculptors or painters worked on the same themes without anyone objecting.Why is it not the same with movies?Why deny one's delight?
By the way I ordered Hamlet tickets for 2009.
The First 40 Minutes are Great! - By: G. McFarlane, 17 Dec 2007 
I recently went to see Sleuth at the cinema, didn't reallly know what to expect. I haven't seen the original either but heres my take. Hope this helps if you're considering buying the DVD:
I think the first 40 minutes are brilliant, Michael Caine & Jude Law are suberb. They share a great chemistry & reallly enjoy the roles. Other highlights are the tension building score, Harold Pinter's bruising, although humourous script (some great black laughs), Kenneth Branagh's assured direction, great angle shots & the heavy interior visuals of Caine's house.
The first half of this film is probably the most fun I've had in a cinema this year & is the very reason for me giving it four stars. A stumble in the last half hour or so can (just) be forgiven.
In the final third, Pinter just fails to dig out anything worth doing, mainly because theres only so far you can stretch an idea with one setting & only two main actors.
About the performances, Caine is flawless throughout & like I said, Law is also brilliant for an hour or so but slowly goes downhill until the end. The third act just doesn't give him enough to chew on & show what he can do.
Overalll, I think Sleuth is a very good mystery movie with plenty of twists along the way to keep you guessing. The performances & screenplay are excellent & is definitely worth checking out on DVD if you missed it at the cinema.
