Cast highlights Thursday Murder Club

Reading Richard Osman’s best-selling Thursday Murder Club a few years ago, I immediately envisioned his main character Elizabeth looking and acting a lot like Helen Mirren--smart, determined, and adding a twinkle to her steely eyed gaze. Filmmaking powers felt the same way, so it came as little surprise that they signed her on to the role, joined by an equally ideal mix of cast members as the title foursome: Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie. That group alone gives Chris Columbus a huge edge in directing the adaptation by author Osman along with screenwriters Suzanne Heathcote and Katy Brand.  Mixing in Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, plus Richard E. Grant heightens the pleasure as each performer nails the distinct and intriguing characters that Osman created.  While some book fans may feel shortchanged by a couple of plot switches, the thinned-down screenplay gives Columbus freedom to work screen rather than page magic. Having kowtowed to fans by holding too closely directing the first Harry Potter screen adaptation, Columbus never bogs down as Murder Club members set out to solve three mysteries. Following the cozy-comfort whodunit formula, Columbus keeps the tone light and brisk featuring a group of retirees enjoying cold-case, casual detective activities but getting serious when a new killing affects their future. They pull from skills developed during their working days as a nurse, union leader, psychiatrist, and MI 6 agent, happily outwitting younger professionals who underestimate their elders.  Plenty of chuckles result with an amazing cast looking like the fun they experience should be shared with lucky viewers.