Viveca Scott is head of one of the largest cosmetics company in the country, but they have hit hard times and her continued dominance over the company of rival David Lang is very much dependant on the development of a new anti-wrinkle cream. When she discovers that Karl Lessing, her ex-lover and employee, has been selling the secrets of her new product to Lang she tries to buy it back but, failing to do so, flies into a rage and kills Lessing. Covering her tracks as best she can Scott still has to contend with the suspicions and manipulation of those around her in this cutthroat business she is so concerned with them in fact, that she doesn't need to worry about the rather bumbling and seemingly inept Detective Columbo that has been put on the Lessing murder.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. In this film we have a reasonable rare event in the Columbo series a murder that is unplanned and is done in the heat of the moment. Regardless of the motives though, this film still stands up as a good mystery, mainly because we are not treated to a carefully planned buildup to the murder, giving us clues that Columbo will find. With this case, although we know the killer, we find out a lot of the clues at the same time as Columbo puts them together; this makes for an interesting story as we are actually waiting to see how Columbo solves it rather than waiting for him to pick up on the clues we already know are there.
The cast is comparatively stellar and produces quite a few strong performances. Falk is his usual self and delivers Columbo like it is effortless. He has a good tension with Miles, who is just as good although I normally prefer it when the murders see Columbo as an amusing rival rather than getting annoyed by him. Support is nice from Sheen and Price neither do a great deal but they are instantly recognisable and their presence adds to the feel of a "big" film rather than a no-name TV movie! Overall, not the greatest of the series but just about above the normal standard. Fans will enjoy it and those not previously won over by the Columbo formula may appreciate the fact that we don't know many of the clues and such until Columbo finds them making it a bit more of a mystery than some others in the series. For my money, just another in a long line of films in the series that sticks to formula and succeeds.
As with many TV film series (such as Perry Mason), if you like one or two of them then you'll pretty much like them all. This entry in the Columbo series pretty much follows the usual formula we know the killer and the "perfect" plan but then watch Columbo follow his hunch and gradually starts to pick holes in the story he is told before eventually finding enough to prove his suspicions. Saying this is not a spoiler it is simply what happens in all the films. With this strict adherence to formula it is usually down to several factors whether or not the Columbo film stands out or if it is just average. In this film we have a reasonable rare event in the Columbo series a murder that is unplanned and is done in the heat of the moment. Regardless of the motives though, this film still stands up as a good mystery, mainly because we are not treated to a carefully planned buildup to the murder, giving us clues that Columbo will find. With this case, although we know the killer, we find out a lot of the clues at the same time as Columbo puts them together; this makes for an interesting story as we are actually waiting to see how Columbo solves it rather than waiting for him to pick up on the clues we already know are there.
The cast is comparatively stellar and produces quite a few strong performances. Falk is his usual self and delivers Columbo like it is effortless. He has a good tension with Miles, who is just as good although I normally prefer it when the murders see Columbo as an amusing rival rather than getting annoyed by him. Support is nice from Sheen and Price neither do a great deal but they are instantly recognisable and their presence adds to the feel of a "big" film rather than a no-name TV movie! Overall, not the greatest of the series but just about above the normal standard. Fans will enjoy it and those not previously won over by the Columbo formula may appreciate the fact that we don't know many of the clues and such until Columbo finds them making it a bit more of a mystery than some others in the series. For my money, just another in a long line of films in the series that sticks to formula and succeeds.