Sleuth

 Yes, I've been away for awhile. I've been busy running programming for the Buffalo North American Science Fiction Convention, which took up most of my time. Now that I've recovered, I will go back to my regular posts.

(1972)
Directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz 
Written by Anthony Shaffer from his play.
Starring Lawrence Olivier, Michael Caine, Alec Cawthorne, John Matthews, Eve Channing
IMDB Entry

Everyone loves a good plot twist, and Sleuth has more than enough to satisfy anyone looking for one.

Andrew Wyke (Lawrence Olivier), a lover of puzzles and games, invites Milo Tindle (Michael Caine) to his manor house. Milo is having an affair with Wyke's wife Marguerite (Eve Channing) and Wyke, knowing about it, tells him that that he can have her and comes up with a scheme to fake a robbery so that he can treat her in the style she is used to. It leads to serious consequences as Inspector Doppler (Alec Cawthorne) investigates Milo's murder. Wyke insists there never was a murder.

Things get complicated.

It is impossible to summarize the plot further without giving out major spoilers. Since the movie (based on a play) is chock full of twists, it's best not to mention them.

Olivier is, of course, quite good. This was when he still was at the top of his acting career, and perfectly handles the complications of character to make the plot twists work. Michael Caine is also great as Milo, a man who has more depth that it seems as first.  

The film was a big hit, and both lead actors got Oscar nominations. There was a remake a few years ago where Caine played the part of Wyke and Jude Law place Milo. I haven't seen it, but the movie was rewritten to make it a new story.