Clue is Cinema

That is not an exaggeration and I stand by my words. 

As everyone knows, it is currently spooky season and with Halloween coming up I wanted to start make more festive content. So, what's more festive than a murder mystery?

Clue (1985) is a cinematic experience and did its fair share and then some more in making the murder mystery/detective genre as beloved as it was. It inspired and is referenced in other movies and shows of the same genre like Knives Out, The Haunting Of The Hill House and more. Though it wasn't well-received by critics at the time for its campy and outlandish nature, it later became a cult classic through way of DVD's and movie renting. 

I know a lot of people might get a jumpscare from seeing the year 1985 but the movie is more well-done than most of the movies we get currently and there is color so age isn't really a concern here.

Based of the boardgame of the same name, Clue is a crime-mystery following the story of six blackmail victims who are lured into a mansion by an unknown man who is aware of their dirty pasts. They are given pseudonyms such as Mrs. White, Colonel Mustard and so, which is taken from the game. The cast comprising of the main six characters including the mansion's butler, Wadsworth (Tim Curry) and the house maid, Yvette (Colleen Camp) then go through a series of shenanigans as a murder takes place.

It's a simple set-up. And it is revolutionary. Everything that the critics at the time disliked about it is what makes it work so well. From insanely talent actors with ridiculous chemistry, a well-written script, three separate endings, this movie gives its all towards entertaining the audience while not taking itself seriously one bit.

It revels off of the strange circumstances and the eccentricities of it's characters and rather than asking us the sympathize with them, it asks us to laugh with the movie and at them. The movie is the quintessential screwball, black comedy-infused work of art with running gags and quick one-liners. Unlike its predecessors and successors, Clue is not focused on making it's central premise, a murder, into a serious matter. It instead sees it as something to hide or hush up. And with the characters all written to be capable of morally dubious acts, it results in a hilarious attempt at a 'cover-up'.  

Even later in the film, when another murder takes place, the other characters go about trying to find the murderer in the most cartoon-y way possible. Reminiscent of how illogical people behave when playing games with friends or family. Also, the Scooby-Doo vibes are immaculate even though Clue is the older between the two.

We get accusations ranging from homosexuality, misandry, murder, communism to be a government agent working undercover. What more could a girl ask for?

All of the actors shine in this movie and make it a million times more engaging with their character quirks and delivery. The set design, costuming, production, music and direction is chef's kiss, I have no words to describe how well the mood is set and how well the foreshadowing is done. 

As is the case with murder mystery books and movies, everything is a clue and everything is important. But Clue does this is in such a masterful way where even if your wrong, you may be right and if you were right...well, you're wrong in the end. The open ending of Clue could be considered a fatal flaw but I think it adds to the general campiness of the movie. There is no clear answer because nothing has been straight from the beginning. All of the characters have lied at some point in the movie and as such they are all equally culpable and capable to having committing at least one crime in the house that night. 

The movie does so well in taking the level of detail you might find in a mystery novel such as Agatha Christie (who the original developer of the game was actually a fan of) and apply to the screenwriting. The characters are all detailed in their mannerisms and clothing and even walking that they are all fully-developed people. Something you don't really see as often. Each scene and shot where the characters move and search around in the mansion are just so well-crafted that watching it made me so appreciative of all the unseen or invisible work done the crew into making something fictional feel so authentic. The camera does an incredible job of moving with the actors and making us feel like we're there and the quick pans and cuts add so much personality into the film-making.

The twists are twist-y but never make you, the audience feel like its nonsensical but rather that you simply didn't pay enough attention. The weirdness is backed up reason and can be corroborated once watched again which is something that film makers these days seem to ignore while making such kind of films. (Kenneth Branagh, mark your days.)    They prioritize outsmarting the viewer rather than making the actual effort and respecting the genre they are adapting. Because one of the most crucial aspects of writing a mystery of any kind is making the end reveal actually acceptable while also shocking and adding red herrings to make the experience more thrilling. Somehow, not all but a few writers here and there seem to think that writing an ending that could never have been guessed makes a good plot. This could not be more incorrect.

I suppose as a avid reader and fan of mystery and crime novels, seeing a movie that respects that while still being unique to itself was nice to see when surrounded by bad adaptations and worse re-imaginings. 

And the main reason why I refrained from spoiling key details about the movie is so that people watch it. It's a really, really funny and goofy movie that does what it sets out to do well. And I respect and adore it all the more for that. Also, Tim Curry deserves EGOT status his commitment to acting his heart out and stealing the show as Wadsworth. 

If you happen to be looking for movie recommendation for Spooktober then look further than Clue. 

Not that I've made it clear enough that I love this movie but it gets a 10 Million/ 5 stars from me.

🐄