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Blackmail, Murder & Mayhem

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Under Suspicion

Under Suspicion

List Price: $14.94
Your Price: $13.45
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Rating: 3 stars
Summary: What Matthew Gladney said....
Review: Yes, unusual direction.

Yes, great actors. Two GREAT actors.

The rest of the cast is forgettable.

The plot is ok. Not stellar, but I wasn't falling asleep.

The dialogue is downright silly and cliche-ridden; it is by far the greatest weakness of this film. Even the brilliance of Hackman and Freeman couldn't do anything about that.

See it for the art direction. It isn't boring, and it's certainly beautiful to look at. It just doesn't bowl you over with excellence in spite of a noble attempt.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: sour final note for an aftertaste
Review: The plot was illogical. And no real or good explanation can be given for the last 10 minutes which make no sense. There were some interesting tricks with distortions of time/space/setting and all the acting was good - the end was implausible and nonsensical. I frittered away almost two hours of my life to see what could have been an otherwise good movie screw up at the last.... So this is my revenge. Don't see this turkey.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Decaffeinated ¿Pure Formality¿
Review: It seems to me that "Under Suspicion" was inspired by the great French film "Pure Formality". There are a lot of similarities between them. In both movies there is a "duel" between a suspect and interrogator. Both movies are set in the police station. In both movies there is a psychological drama and an unexpected finale. Also there is a love story and a final redemption of the main character. But the French movie has an otherworldly and mystical twist while "Under Suspicion" stays totally secular.

Although "Under Suspicion" is not a complete lemon, the ending is a big disappointment. On the other hand, in "Pure Formality" not only acting is great; but the ending also is awesome. If "Under Suspicion" is worth watching at all, it is only because of some interesting filming techniques and great soundtrack, inspired by the Puerto-Rican Carnival. Both Hackman and Freeman are good actors, but their talents unfortunately were wasted in this film.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: MOVIE UNDER SUSPICION
Review: The only thing that is under suspicion in this horrible movie is why Freeman and Hackman are in it !! The supposed "intriguing" premise is nothing more than lack of a good history !!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: many layers
Review: This movie is too complex to just watch once. The surface story pits policeman Freeman with two pedophile crimes to solve against suspect Hackman. They are in different worlds; Hackman, with much worse problems that a mere murder accusation to deal with, lies and lies and lies to his inquisitor. The supporting actors are his wife and a detective, each with their own agendas.

As the evening lengthens against the background of a local holiday and the aftermath of a hurricane and a charity ball at which Hackman is supposed to be the featured speaker, tension builds with man and wife watching each other questioned but not able to hear what is said.

The movie direction is surprising and effective, moving characters as observers to scenes as they hear what happened. The ending seems confusing because of all the lies and expectations that have been built up as Hackman's character is shredded. All four characters play to win and nobody does. The audience gets a chance to rethink the mistakes of each.

Perhaps not in my top 10 of all time, but I won't forget it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Duel or duet?
Review: Hackman and Freeman. The producers and actors of a story they selected. Can't go wrong watching it. A very interesting way of reconstructing a crime scene, nice camera runs, moody soundtrack. The video transfer is OK, the sound is very well mastered on DD5.1. Why not more stars? First, it's not widescreen (but the trailer is...). Second, there's a moment the movie could go a little faster. Third, the solution came somewhat easy. Not a blockbuster, but a movie you'll like for its many good moments. A great duel from an amazing duet. Your DVD collection will welcome it.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A Good Attempt, But.....
Review: 'Under Suspicion' is one of those movies which is, to put it honestly, mediocre. It stars two fine actors (Morgan Freeman & Gene Hackman), is quite innovatively directed (by Stephen Hopkins), and has an interesting setting (Puerto Rico during a carnival). The plot, on the other hand, comes across pretty standard.

This is basically a police interrogation, familiar to many as it has been rendered time and again on television and in other movies. It is done well, by all involved, but it has also been done before. Hackman and Freeman, and the direction of Hopkins, lift the telling of the tale up a notch, but it still feels like old ground. There has been crime commited (in this case two murders), there is a prime suspect (Hackman), and so he and the overzealous policeman (Freeman) square off for a close-quarters interrogation.

This sort of scenario, though well-worn, can make for a really good movie, so I sat back and soaked it all in. The film kept me riveted throughout, until the ending came along. Now, I am not here to give anything away - don't worry. But what I will say is that the picture suddenly went from its entire focus of a "Did he do it?" interrogation flick to "Let's pause and reflect upon these characters, their lives, their hopes, their troubles, their fears, their desires, their angst" - etc. etc.

A movie which wants to end so poignantly must be sure to make the audience care about the characters. Maybe other viewers did. I did not, as I took this movie as a mystery/thriller. Most mystery/thrillers are simply plot-driven, and I saw no exception with 'Under Suspicion'. In a mystery/thriller, most of the actions taken by the characters are usually scrutinized for how they affect the *plot*, not the characters themselves.

I don't know if I've expressed my thoughts on the matter very well - perhaps not. But my final word on the film is that it is enjoyable and engaging until the last 5-10 minutes. Just be prepared for what some may deem a possibly disappointing ending.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: GOOD BUT...
Review: Hackman and Freeman steals the show. Even Thomas Jane is ok as the auxiliar cop. But, can somebody please tell me: WHO THE HELL WAS THE KILLER ????!!!!

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: GOOD BUT...
Review: Hackman and Freeman steals the show. Even Thomas Jane is ok as the auxiliar cop. But, can somebody please tell me: WHO THE HELL WAS THE KILLER ??!!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Gripping crime thriller is a wonderful midnight movie
Review: There are certain films that are so quiet and intense that they demand to be watched in the middle of night. After the hustle and activity of the day is finished this intense crime thriller starring Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman can be enjoyed. Hackman plays a wealthy Puerto Rico lawyer who is questioned by old friend Freeman about a corpse that he discovered. As Hackman's story changes, Freeman probes deeper and deeper into Hackman's private life trying to discover whether or not his friend is a murderer.

This movie grabs the viewer from the opening titles and takes you breathlessly through the story without graphic violence and only slight sexuality. It does so on the sheer power of the performances and the story.

This is a complex thriller that is truly in the Hitchcock tradition.


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