Thriller. Michael Caine, Jude Law. Director: Kenneth Branagh

Released in 1972, Joseph Mankiewicz's tense and serpentine thriller Sleuth, adapted by Anthony Shaffer from his own stage play, pitted Sir Laurence Olivier against Michael Caine in a titanic battle of nerve and deception.

Set largely within a claustrophobic country manor, the film relied on ambiguous dialogue to stoke the tension, shifting the balance of power between the two leads as the film built towards an explosive resolution.

Both actors reaped Oscar nominations. Thirty-five years later, Caine returns, this time in the Olivier role, for Kenneth Branagh's hi-tech contemporary remake, adapted afresh by Harold Pinter. Like its predecessor, this Sleuth is distinguished by brilliantly polished turns of phrase and barbed one-liners.

Flickering CCTV footage leads us up the garden path of a Georgian country pile belonging to celebrated crime novelist Andrew Wyke (Caine), who has made millions from his serpentine whodunnits. A Citroen parks in the drive, signalling the arrival of handsome actor Milo Tindle (Law), who hopes to marry the novelist's estranged wife.

"I want to come to the point: are you going to give Maggie a divorce or not?" barks Milo.

Andrew appears to be in no mood to grant Milo's bold request - "My wife is an adulteress. She should be stoned to death!" - but then he shocks his cocky rival by offering Milo not only the woman but also some priceless jewels from the safe. All the actor has to do is fake a break-in and steal the gems.

Andrew can claim on the insurance, while Milo gets a nice nest egg. Agreeing to the proposal, Milo wanders blindly into Andrew's ingenious trap, except the actor has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Sleuth lacks suspense once you know the sneaky twist in Shaffer's stage play, and Branagh's version struggles to conceal what is right before our eyes. Caine relishes the juicy, expletive laden banter.

Pinter adds a homoerotic twist to the finale that doesn't quite work, permitting Law to indulge in some shameless scenery-chewing that shifts our allegiances firmly back to his controlled co-star.

THREE STARS