I think the idea of the benevolent Miss Marple acting as Nemesis, the goddess of retribution, is an interesting one, and when Geraldine McEwan finally assumes that role the effect is almost chilling - this is probably one of her best performances in the entire series. Another thing I noticed about Geraldine is that her Marple always seems to have good chemistry with her sidekicks (Lucy and Mrs. McGillicuddy in "4:50 From Paddington", Tuppence in "By The Pricking Of My Thumbs", etc.), and the same applies here as well, where we finally get to meet her nephew, the womanizing writer Raymond West (Richard E. Grant); their interplay, as well as that between Raymond and the mysterious tour guide Georgina Barrow (an ideally cast Ruth Wilson), are among the few light moments of this generally dark tale. For all the changes to the plot (some of which, like making virtually everyone on the tour involved with the case of Verity in one way or another, I actually liked), it still remains recognizable; the proof is that I remembered the killer quite clearly from the Joan Hickson film and I was not wrong! The film is slow to get going, and at first it's hard to even keep track of who is who; however, attentive viewers will be rewarded with little clues that are almost literally "hidden in plain sight", if you can spot them. On the whole, not one of the better entries in the series, but it has its moments. **1/2 out of 4.
Review of Miss Marple: Nemesis
Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an everlasting stream
16 July 2011
Warning: Spoilers