Fortune Defies Death

Fortune Defies Death

Fortune Defies Death

Fortune Defies Death is a traditional "lock room" mystery. It features nine characters in a secluded cabin to read the will left ten years earlier. Heavy dialogue but not overly talky because of a clever screenplay and lush visuals. Although the film is a serious whodunit, it has many funny moments that reminds me about Clue (1985). Yet the difference between Fortune Defies Death and other murder mysteries is that the film has a strong emotional backdrop - the necklace and the three generations that shrewdly plugin as a crucial element to solve a deadly mystery for a terrifying conclusion. The film sets the timeline from 1980s to 2014 that invites a deep thought during and afterward with every moment leading to a constant guess of what is really happening next. The pace is being calculated carefully so you wouldn't even notice that you have come through from one step to another in a complicated situation. The powerful and intense atmosphere of dread and stress throughout those idiosyncratic eccentric characters have made the film unique and poignant which may stay with you for a while - I can't think of any murder mystery like this before and it certainly made me cry and frightened. The chemistry between the characters builds up organically and it only takes a very little time to figure out their relationship. I think the overall performance is appropriate but my tribute goes to Julie R. Ølgaard - the Headhunters (2011) star who plays Katherine as a breezy, funny and eccentric niece of the rich uncle. With its dark forest landscapes, ornate interiors and subdued lightings, Fortune Defies Death is an excellent movie to watch on a cold night next to a fireplace with a glass of wine. I watched the movie at its premier and I hope it's available on Amazon or Netflix soon if it's not for a wide theatrical release.

This is a kind of film that invites much thought during and afterward. In opposite, this sort of genre - a mix of a puzzle movie and a whodunit - often requires an intensive concentration to view - had become less appreciated in the recent years and such consequence has turned filmmakers away for a quick success, the horror genre, so to speak. Gladly, this movie's filmmakers keep their faith in this great story and break through the barrier with its fine work in many ways. As now more and more people look for a clever mystery, so it's about time to introduce a great suspense like this. The movie starts with the old man who dies in the moody mansion and then forward 10 years after as his heirs come to read his overdue will and testament. The script gives a number of interesting roles as they chew the sceneries with spices and wits. The main characters include sister Stacy - a bitter woman, mistress Mrs. Jordan - a freeloader, niece Katharine - a greedy trifler, nephew Randy - a calculated phycologist, nephew Charlie - a shrewd wiggler, son-in-law Scott - a failed artist, granddaughter Nadia - a naïve amnesic, Mr. Person - a family attorney. When they get together in this seclusive cabin, the story starts to peel off like an onion with all the ingenious twists we dare to expect. The only drawback I feel is too easy to miss the point because too much information given in the beginning. But overall, it's well done.

I'm surprised that this is a debut movie. The deliberately captivated storyline, the truly unforgettable characters, the spirally twisted suspense, the consistently enticing pace, and the well-crafted narration are all exceptionally fantastic!

There are many good things about this movie. But the most brilliant part is where some scenes are "cut" half-and-half: one half from an objective perspective and the other half from a subjective perspective. A good example is when two guys talk "physically" in their private room first, then in the later half is only from the lawyer's vision. Since these two parts follow the same logic under same condition, you wouldn't even notice the difference when it goes on as one continuous plot - which makes the subjective point of view convincingly believable. Overall, 7/10 from my opinion, but adding this mastery up, I would give it one more clap.

Jennifer Hulum's debut feature "Fortune Defies Death" reminds me about Agatha Christie's books, such as Murder on the Orient Express and Five Little Pigs. Yeah it sounds familiar, but not quite - the movie offers its own unique plots and narrations. Fortune Defies Death is about 8 siblings (plus a lawyer, so total 9 members) getting together in a reclusive cabin to read the will ten years after their patriarch's death. The setting and the atmosphere seem like a classic movie in 50s or 70s - it opens with a scene in black and white like a noir then it transits to a color scene for a lapse of the years, but yet the actual story is happening mainly in the new century as indicated (for example the Magnify Glass used for cellphone to identify the crime). The movie is complicated that has a lot puzzles to solve. But every anecdote is cleverly crafted, so I found no troubles to follow the direction. There are many flashbacks but the "ins" and "outs" are clearly narrated. The writer/director/editor Jennifer Hulum seemed to have a great vision and knew how to tell a complicated story with an easy going solution. Besides, I was impressed by few new stars like Emily Anila Shah (Mona), the Miss New Jersey USA 2014 and Mike Maolucci (Charlie) yet who appeared in a couple of popular TV shows (Criminal Minds, NCIS) recently. In addition the camera work and the set design (on good locations too) together create the theme and the mood like a classic mystery that is also worth seen. I recommend this movie for someone who may like a clever mystery or someone who looks for a traditional throwback. I think if you like Agatha Christie, then you definitely should check this movie out. By the way I saw the movie in Regal Cinemas/LA Live a couple of weeks ago through Hollywood Reel Independent Film Festival. I hope the movie will soon be available on the public venues. Thanks for reading and I hope it helps.

I can only imagine if this movie made by some big kahunas, then, should turn out to be a hit. Not because of just having an interesting storyline but it carries on and implemented plots logically from scene to scene, specially going back and forth from present to flashback and such. This must be involved in writing and directing as they seem planned coherently well. Besides of nice camera work and editing, all the characters are portrayed by those who have not yet made their names big, the film still has great power to draw you in, keeping you captivated from head to toe. Maybe there is a little moment of awkwardness, but their overall performance is pretty convincible. As a matter of fact, I consider the casting is quite fit if you don't care about the names and fame. Let me give you a little hint, but not a whole lot to spoiler: An old man dies. His adopted daughter is gone missing before he dies. 10 years after, relatives called up for will reading in the reclusive cabin, but his daughter doesn't show up - this may be expected. The attendees take a ballot to vote and all agree the daughter is dead already so they can move on for the will reading in hope each one of them would get a piece of pie. But why they all wish her die? Is that because of the money alone or is her killer among them? Surprisedly, that's not all. Her death may be expected, but a shocking surprise is something else. Usually suspense movie is a tough nut, specially the ending - it's too easy to be screwed. I hate to watch a movie with a promised beginning but fails me with the bad ending. But this movie's ending is just right.

Although this murder mystery is cleverly written, shot and performed, all the scenes and dialogues are wisely calculated, I wouldn't recommend it to those who straightly look for a thriller with busy actions and lousy murders - this is just not that kind.

A remarkable mystery allows both the characters and the viewers to come to such a completely logical conclusion about the murder/murders that you will wonder of how you could have possibly missed the clues the first time - for example, the party photo. A great story with great cast. A good camera work combined with other part of endeavors... But there are minor "rough" cuts specially towards the end. 9/10 for my generosity.