«Glass Onion» or how to «fill up» on a good film

After a first tribute to the whodunit, Rian Johnson renews the experience with a detective who's wackier than ever. Close-up on Glass Onion: a tale of two sides, released on Netflix. It's an investigation to die for... or cigar.

In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, a group of old friends each receive a puzzle inviting them to stay on the Greek island of their wealthy companion, Miles Bron (Edward Norton). The group of nouveau riche are invited to a murder party featuring the billionaire's murder. Renowned private detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) also receives an invitation and heads to Greece to unravel this new mystery.

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A change of scene and a dose of humor

One of Glass Onion's strengths lies in the perfect match between the classic codes of the investigative film and the ultra-modern environment in which the plot is set. Unlike the first installment, which featured an investigation in a mansion full of secrets, Rian Johnson departs from tradition with a feud involving laughable influencers, politicians and corrupt scientists. Nevertheless, the music, cross-fades, multiple points of view and off-screen shots showing only shadows or the murder weapon are a real treat for nostalgic fans of the genre.

The staging of the numerous characters is particularly successful. The film illustrates the balance of power very well, playing with the background and the composition of the image; in each shot, the protagonists are presented according to a physical hierarchy that intrigues the viewer. All the codes are thus honored or reinforced by other devices such as the constant dolly shots of Benoit Blanc's face.

But what about the humor, the essential element of the genre? Daniel Craig recently declared in a interview with Konbini that «comedy is not his specialty». If some adaptations of the adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle or Agatha Christie are anything to go by, comedy is very much a part of the whodunit. Well, if comedy isn't his forte, Craig hides his game well.

Glass Onion is full of humor, from the comedy of repetition to the cameos of several American celebrities, such as Serena Williams. Most of all, it's the character of Benoit Blanc, who never ceases to amaze audiences, oscillating between complete naiveté and true genius. The latter appears in his bath, surrounded by stacks of books, a bottle of Ricard on the rim and a cigar to his lips; he plays the investigative video game Among US wearing a fez. Between misappropriation and cliché, this character remains true to the first. opus in its comic function.

On the wrong track

Another of the film's resources is detour. Rian Johnson manipulates his audience by thwarting their expectations. With several mises en abyme, a few absurd deus ex machina and a plethora of twists and turns, the viewer is caught off guard as to the direction Blanc's investigation is taking. Like the characters, the audience is invited to think and make mistakes. The paradox of the rhythm of the murder scene illustrates this break with the audience's expectations: a sequence slightly too long to be completely serious, yet too short to be ridiculed. The audience is thus confused by the atmosphere, hesitating between the comedy and the tension of this key moment.

Beyond this good balance between humor and seriousness, the plot, despite its length, is very appealing. The second half of the film is a little off-key, with the story strung together, offering clues on a platter and one revelation after another. All in all, however, the film is an unqualified success. All the more reason to look forward to the third instalment on the way: the continuation of the now famous detective's adventures, hopefully accompanied by another fine cast.

Write to the author: leila.favre@leregardlibre.com

Glass Onion Netflix

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