Wake Up Dead Man

Another Benoit Blanc mystery, starring Daniel Craig as the detective. This time, a priest (Josh Brolin) is murdered and his assistant (Josh O’Connor) is the prime suspect. Blanc doesn’t buy it and instead turns his gaze on the congregation (Kerry Washington, Jeremy Renner, Glenn Close et al).

I’ve seen this twice already but haven’t been at the computer to write the review, because it’s Christmas, so this is an un-precedented two-for-one post.

It might be the best film they’ve made yet? It’s certainly the one that holds up to the most scrutiny on second viewing. I know it’s a bit long, and I know it’s not as funny, and I realise that the ensemble cast barely get any screen time.

None of that bothered me. There are two facets to this film - a murder mystery of course, but also an impassioned attack then defence of religion in modern society. Perhaps it’s the time of year but a show of love, respect and understanding between two men fundamentally at odds with each other (Blanc is a ‘proud heretic’) is kind of what the world needs right now.

I love how Johnson weaves the two together, telling a compelling story of a seemingly unsolvable crime (with clear nods to Lazarus, or perhaps even Jesus himself) but then elevating it to another level. It’s almost a miracle that such a break from the tone of the first two films might work at all - but it does.

Merry Christmas everyone!