‘The Thursday Homicide Membership’ looks as if the right film for a comfortable night time in. It has all of the substances for an irresistible recipe: quirky retirees as beginner detectives, an enthralling English setting, a homicide or two sprinkled about like raisins in a fruitcake and sly humour. And but, someway, the top outcome tastes extra like plain sponge than a richly iced dessert. Nice, serviceable, however not fairly the indulgence one would possibly hope for.
The story unfolds in Coopers Chase, a retirement village the place unusual life meets surprising crime-solving. On the coronary heart is a band of 4 unlikely detectives: Elizabeth (Helen Mirren), the group’s quick-thinking chief with traces of a secret life behind her calm smile; Joyce (Celia Imrie), a pleasant widowed nurse with a deceptively light manner; Ron (Pierce Brosnan), as soon as a labour organiser with a aptitude for rebel; and Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley), a psychiatrist whose calm mind grounds the chaos round.
They collect each Thursday to pore over chilly instances, extra as a passion than a calling.
That passion takes a dramatic flip with the stunning homicide of Tony Curran, a brash property developer whose growth plans have unsettled quite a lot of residents of Coopers Chase. His demise transforms the group’s informal gatherings right into a full-fledged investigation.
They step up from idle theorising to chasing suspects in an try to untangle lies and secrets and techniques hidden behind well mannered smiles. Because the thriller deepens, their sharp instincts uncover surprising connections, proving that age isn’t any barrier to curiosity or to outsmarting each killers and the police.
The forged is the movie’s strongest asset. Mirren makes Elizabeth sharp and witty, although at occasions nearly too polished. Brosnan brings vitality as Ron, however his accent slips and the efficiency feels uneven. Kingsley offers Ibrahim a relaxed depth, however the function doesn’t give him a lot to do. Imrie, in the meantime, shines as Joyce with heat and attraction.
Collectively, they share a simple chemistry, however the script doesn’t absolutely assist them. It feels as if they’re prepared for one thing greater, solely the movie by no means fairly lets them unfastened.
Visually, the movie leans into the vibe. Solar-dappled cottages, polished tea units and tidy gardens, the manufacturing design is as secure and soothing as a Sunday afternoon stroll. That’s consolation in its personal method, but it surely additionally means the environment by no means features actual stress. You might be cushioned in attraction always, so even when our bodies fall and secrets and techniques are revealed, the stakes really feel low.
It’s laborious to concern for characters when all the pieces round them is styled to reassure you that every one can be properly.
And this, maybe, is why ‘The Thursday Homicide Membership’ feels nearly okay. It’s a movie that refuses to ruffle feathers.
It desires to be pleasant however by no means daring, cosy however by no means sharp, playful however by no means depraved. It entertains politely, then tidies up after itself, leaving you with a smile however no lingering aftertaste. You benefit from the firm, however as soon as the credit roll, it’s surprisingly simple to slide the entire thing out of your thoughts.
That stated, there’s nonetheless attraction in watching older characters take the reins of journey. The movie carries a quiet, subversive pleasure in reminding us that curiosity and cleverness don’t retire, even when the storytelling round them feels hesitant.
It’s a film you would possibly watch on a wet afternoon and revel in for a delicate diversion. However don’t anticipate it to dazzle.
‘The Thursday Homicide Membership’ is amiable, evenly witty and cosy sufficient to heat a night, but it surely by no means fairly musters the glint that its premise guarantees.
Like a teapot gone barely lukewarm, it’s positive for a sip, however you will see that your self wishing somebody had stored the kettle boiling.
