Based on Fer-de-Lance, the first of Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe's mystery novels, the film gets the characters all wrong and modifies the plot to the detriment of the story. Archie Goodwin, who narrates the novel, is presented in the film as a doofus and the butt of Wolfe's sadistic sense of humor. The latter laughs incessantly through the film, while in the book he is far more taciturn and correspondingly enigmatic. Fritz, Wolfe's personal chef, comes across as a dignified professional in the novel, in contrast to the servile flunky portrayed in this film. Finally, none of the potential suspects are sufficiently developed in the film thereby removing the opportunity to inject dramatic tension. This is particularly the case in respect to the murder victim's daughter, with whom in the book Archie had a modicum of romantic interest, albeit mostly unexpressed. Instead, a new character is added, Archie's fiancée, presumably to shore up his heterosexual bona fides. Read the novel instead, and then decide if Nero Wolfe mysteries are your cup of tea.
Review of Meet Nero Wolfe
