I haven't read the novel "Sleeping Murder" but I have seen the (generally regarded as faithful) 1980s Joan Hickson version and I remember spotting the murderer almost instantly (something which very rarely happens to me!): after the initial explanation of the "metaphysical" incidents of recognition that Gwenda experiences, this becomes probably one of the most predictable stories Agatha Christie ever wrote. This newer version tries, with moderate success, to complicate matters by introducing new characters and subplots, some of which (George's real father....) are pointless; at the same time, they undercut the effort by casting a rather creepy-looking actor as the killer. However, this film does contain two beautiful, genuine love stories - one in the present, one in the past - and Sarah Parish pulls off a striking transformation from an insecure, bespectacled girl to a confident, tough-talking diva. Both she and Anna Louise Plowman do some fine singing as well. **1/2 out of 4.
Review of Sleeping Murder
