Sir Ben Kingsley and Daniela Lavender Sparkle at Thursday Murder Club Premiere
SIR BEN KINGSLEY STEALS THE SHOW ON THE RED CARPET WITH HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE, BUT WILL "THURSDAY MURDER CLUB" LIVEN UP AT THE BOX OFFICE?
Last night, Sir Ben Kingsley made a rare appearance on the red carpet with his stunning wife Daniela Lavender at the premiere of their new movie, "Thursday Murder Club". The dashing 81-year-old actor looked every inch the debonair gentleman in a sleek blue suit, posing alongside his 50-year-old Brazilian beauty, who dazzled in a slinky silver halter-neck gown and sassy pink heels. Despite a whopping 30-plus year age gap between them, Sir Ben has previously insisted that their love makes "no difference" - and judging by the way they looked at each other, it's clear that they're still smitten!
The actor was mobbed on the red carpet, embracing director Chris Columbus and none other than Steven Spielberg. But will his latest project, based on Richard Osman's bestselling novel of the same name, be a hit with audiences? Unfortunately, critics are seriously divided - while some have hailed it as "feel-good murder at its finest", others have savaged it as a "flimsy ITV2 drama".
The movie follows a group of retirees who spend their days solving cold cases under the guidance of former psychiatrist Ibrahim Arif (played by Sir Ben). Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan join the cast as Elizabeth Best and Ron, respectively. But in a surprise twist, even some of the most ardent fans of the book have been left feeling disappointed - including Clarisse Loughrey from The Independent, who gave it a scathing two-star review.
"Lushly shot but woefully underwritten, this adaptation fails to make the most of its all-star cast," she wrote. "The script is a watered-down version of the original mystery, lacking any real tension or suspense."
But don't worry, Ben Kingsley fans! Despite some scathing reviews, there are plenty of glowing ones too - including from The Scholarly Note's own Larushka Ivan-zadeh, who gave it four stars and declared: "Thank heavens this movie adaptation is great, or there might have been a riot. This amiable, undemanding and knowing caper is like Miss Marple meets Only Murders In The Building; or a knitting circle version of Knives Out. Celebrating friendship, resilience, and the humour of aging, with just the right dash of emotion, this is feel-good murder at its finest."
Meanwhile, Radio Times' David Brown was more measured in his praise, giving it three stars and saying: "For what we have here is a tale that, were it to be deprived of its stellar cast, would fit snugly in the weekend schedules alongside the murderous yet somehow comforting goings-on in the likes of St Mary Mead or Midsomer. The story has touches of pathos which despite being streamlined for the big screen are still affecting."
So what do you think, folks? Will "Thursday Murder Club" be a hit with audiences, or will it join the ranks of the disappointing movie adaptations of beloved books? Let us know in the comments!
Photos: Sir Ben Kingsley and Daniela Lavender on the red carpet at the premiere of "Thursday Murder Club".
