Agatha (1979)

The great mystery writer Agatha Christie did disappear for eleven days and cause quite an uproar of speculation in the press of her day.  She was found in a sanitarium using the name of her husband’s mistress.  Although the reasons and events which led to this is still a mystery, Agatha attempts to portray a fictional theory as to what happened during that time based on certain clues and, more likely, a fanciful imagination.

Some may scoff at the film’s lack of authenticity in its subject, but even taken as fiction, this is an interesting character study of a sorrowful and shy woman played with perfection by Redgrave.  The Oscar-nominated costumes, excellent sense of the period, and realistic lighting all add to the atmosphere of realism that helps Agatha succeed in being attractive as a period piece as well as a drama.

Dustin Hoffman may be somewhat miscast as the American columnist that becomes enchanted by Christie enough to chase her around the sanitarium for days. Still, he does give us a familiarity we can cling to.  Timothy Dalton is also compelling as the cold-hearted husband who wants a divorce from the woman he doesn’t love (and has no qualms saying so.)

Although it has the subject matter of limited appeal and is not for everyone, fans of period pieces and especially of Redgrave should be entertained for the duration.

Qwipster’s rating: A

MPAA Rated: PG for brief nudity and smoking (probably PG-13 today)
Running Time: 105 min.

Cast: Vanessa Redgrave, Dustin Hoffman, Timothy Dalton, Helen Morse, Celia Gregory
Director: Michael Apted
Screenplay: Kathleen Tynan, Arthur Hopcraft