The Oxford Murders (2008)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Álex de la Iglesia

Writers:

Jorge Guerricaechevarría (writer)
Álex de la Iglesia (screenplay)

Release Date:

18 January 2008 (Spain)

Genre:

Crime | Romance | Thriller

Plot:

At Oxford University, a professor and a grad student work together to try and stop a potential series of murders seemingly linked by mathematical symbols. |

Plot Keywords:

Student | Oxford | Murder | University Professor | Female Nudity

Awards:

5 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Elijah Wood	...	Martin
John Hurt	...	Arthur Seldom
Leonor Watling	...	Lorna
Julie Cox	...	Beth
Burn Gorman	...	Podorov
Anna Massey	...	Mrs. Eagleton
Jim Carter	...	Inspector Petersen
Alan David	...	Mr. Higgins
Dominique Pinon	...	Frank
Tim Wallers	...	Defence Lawyer
James Weber-Brown	...	Doctor
Ian East	...	Howard Green
Charlotte Asprey	...	Mrs. Howard Green
Alex Cox	...	Kalman
Tom Frederic	...	Ludwig Wittgenstein

Also Known As:

Crimes à Oxford (France)
Los crímenes de Oxford (Spain: Castilian title)
Oxford Crimes (Spain) (working title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

Spain | UK | France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Spain:13 | Italy:T | Argentina:16 | Singapore:M18 | Germany:16 | Finland:K-13 | Netherlands:12

Filming Locations:

London, England, UK

Company:

Eurimages

Trivia:

Michael Caine was approached by director Álex de la Iglesia to play the leading role. Jeremy Irons was also considered for this part that, ultimately, went to John Hurt.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Prof. Wilkes finishes his presentation of his solution to Bormat's Last Theorem, the writing on the blackboard behind him changes.

Soundtrack:

Ricercar A 3

Distracting but nothing special.

I recently moved to Oxford and being Spanish well, I was curious to watch this film. First of all I will say Alex de la Iglesia is not among my top-5 favourite Spanish filmmakers. Probably is not even among the first 10 but anyway the title, the plot and the location intrigued me enough to give it a try.

There are some thrillers which the plot is flat and the final twist is good. There're others (most of them) in which 3/4 of the movie is OK but the end is either predictable or incredible or flat. And there others in which everything is flat. That's the case of this film. Is an old fashion movie, nothing new, nothing spectacular, no great acting, final twist is a bit predictable and in average with the rest of the movie.

I don't think any of the actors were convinced about the script cause their acting is so sober and flat. Maybe with the exception of Leonor Watling.

Among the good points of the movie... well, Oxford is a nice city. The Oxford Crimes is not pretentious at all so even when is not incredible is distracting, good for a weekday at home or watch it after lunch. 5/10