A Haunting in Venice feigns reinvention but sticks to forgettable routines. This adaptation of a proper whodunit is dulled by a meandering plot, flat characters, muted internal conflicts, blunt dialogue, heavy exposition, and weak momentum. There are motifs, clues, twists, and quips, yet that feels minor amongst the musty formulas and disengaged emotions. It's difficult for viewers to care about a well-constructed mystery if the drama is outdated. The acting provides dialects, tears, outbursts, layers, and motivation but can't break through the monotonous script. Overall, A Haunting in Venice's adequate construction lacks the creative spark to make this classic material its own.
Technically, A Haunting in Venice is atmospheric but muddled. The superficial imagery uses extreme angles, framing, focus, mounts, motion, dim lighting, and drab colors. Its editing offers dissolves, cross cuts, smash inserts, intercuts, and a sluggish pace. The sound has emphasis, stings, smash cuts, distortions, weather, and split cuts. Its music utilizes relevant needle drops, trans-diegetics, motifs, and a bookend. The production design establishes the era, season, location, and characters. Its casting squanders its recognizable names. The effects add stunts, violence, graphics, makeup, and relatively restrained CGI. Ultimately, A Haunting in Venice is competent but unremarkable.
Writing: 6/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 7/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 8/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 7.2/10
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