In a mostly straight role, with only occasional moments of humor, Gene Wilder is surprisingly good; his warm and insightful theatrical director/amateur sleuth is like a more humane Hercules Poirot. The film is well-cast right down the line and has a reasonably intricate plot, but it suffers from the usual limitations of most TV productions, including bland cinematography and slow pacing. Enjoyable overall, but mediocre. (**1/2)
Review of Murder in a Small Town
Murder in a Small Town
(1999 TV Movie)
Mediocre whodunit with a marvelous Gene Wilder performance.
8 May 2004