Deceiver

Rating:
Summary: Watch "The Offense"
Review: Admittedly, I watched this movie when I thought another one was coming on the TV, and haven't seen the DVD or VHS versions, but I kept watching, since I like some of the "tough guys" in the movie, especially Tim Roth.
It's a pretty good movie, unless you keep watching it, and realize that it's a scrambled version of the old Sean Connery film "The Offense", where a suspect (who may or may not be the murderer) "turns the tables" on the cops and has an altercation with the interrogating policeman (I won't ruin the end of "The Offense", but it's more gripping, in "The Offensive" than "Deceiver", in my opinion).
Apparently Sean Connery cut a deal with his studio to make a few "artsy" movies (including "The Offense" and "The Wall") if he made a bunch of James Bond movies.
"Deceiver" is pretty ok, and I kept watching, but "The Offense" is the source, and better. Presumably there were sources for "The Offense" though, but I don't know them.
Check out "The Offense", and prepare to be "offended"!!!

Rating:
Summary: Watch "The Offense"
Review: Admittedly, I watched this movie when I thought another one was coming on the TV, and haven't seen the DVD or VHS versions, but I kept watching, since I like some of the "tough guys" in the movie, especially Tim Roth.
It's a pretty good movie, unless you keep watching it, and realize that it's a scrambled version of the old Sean Connery film "The Offense", where a suspect (who may or may not be the murderer) "turns the tables" on the cops and has an altercation with the interrogating policeman (I won't ruin the end of "The Offense", but it's more gripping, in "The Offensive" than "Deceiver", in my opinion).
Apparently Sean Connery cut a deal with his studio to make a few "artsy" movies (including "The Offense" and "The Wall") if he made a bunch of James Bond movies.
"Deceiver" is pretty ok, and I kept watching, but "The Offense" is the source, and better. Presumably there were sources for "The Offense" though, but I don't know them.
Check out "The Offense", and prepare to be "offended"!!!

Rating:
Summary: Strong, entertaining thriller
Review: As a man with two afflictions--epilepsy and alcoholism--Tim Roth does a great job here of bamboozling two cops interrogating him for the murder of a prostitute. The plot centers on Roth's character, Wayland, as the very wealthy son of a business tycoon who's used to getting what he wants. And who knows a lot more than he initially reveals.

What is revealed relatively early is that both cops have real weaknesses and Wayland knows how to take advantage of them--so much so that there is serious doubt about whether Wayland is the murderer or not. Adding to the intrigue are Ellen Burstyn who is superb as a nasty underworld figure dealing in gambling and drugs, and Rosanna Arquette as the wife of one of the cops, who also may be hiding something.

In fact, the viewer begins to see that a number of characters have plenty to hide, making this a thriller so full of unexpected twists and turns it dazzles. The ending is really strong, unlike many thrillers that fizzle out as the story progresses. The Pate Brothers, who wrote and directed this film, have done an excellent job of interweaving the various threads of this stinging tale. Their previous film, The Grave, was as different as night and day from this one, and just as entertaining--a black comedy with sharp teeth. Comedy is not Deceiver's milieu; suspense is. And it's great.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Strong, entertaining thriller
Review: As a man with two afflictions--epilepsy and alcoholism--Tim Roth does a great job here of bamboozling two cops interrogating him for the murder of a prostitute. The plot centers on Roth's character, Wayland, as the very wealthy son of a business tycoon who's used to getting what he wants. And who knows a lot more than he initially reveals.

What is revealed relatively early is that both cops have real weaknesses and Wayland knows how to take advantage of them--so much so that there is serious doubt about whether Wayland is the murderer or not. Adding to the intrigue are Ellen Burstyn who is superb as a nasty underworld figure dealing in gambling and drugs, and Rosanna Arquette as the wife of one of the cops, who also may be hiding something.

In fact, the viewer begins to see that a number of characters have plenty to hide, making this a thriller so full of unexpected twists and turns it dazzles. The ending is really strong, unlike many thrillers that fizzle out as the story progresses. The Pate Brothers, who wrote and directed this film, have done an excellent job of interweaving the various threads of this stinging tale. Their previous film, The Grave, was as different as night and day from this one, and just as entertaining--a black comedy with sharp teeth. Comedy is not Deceiver's milieu; suspense is. And it's great.

Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: The zig zag transfer of blame!
Review: At last we are in front of a clever movie far away from the standars issues who gambles hard and never looses . The movie is a cat - mouse film , that slowly becomes increasing in tension and inner drama .
Tim Roth is a mosnter actor . He carrties at least the fifty per cent of the film under his shoulders . The script pays a glorious tribute to these dark film noir of the fifties .
Roth is framed about a prostitute's murder . In the inquiring process , you'll find the law is out on its mind , due both investigators are full loaded of little nasty private profiles , but since they represent the status quo , the law has to walk in a straight line , and never failing .
The slow process of the facts will carry to a interseting laberynthic game .
This film is a cult movie . An interesting approach with some bits of the Silence of the lambs and The offence . Nobody is innocent is one of the multiple results obtained after the film ends .
Mesmerizing all along the way!

Rating:
Summary: Deciever is Far Too Overlooked and Unnoticed
Review: I cannot believe the scarcity of people who have actually seen this movie. Tim Roth is an incredible actor, and his intelligence permeates into a very believable role in a modern mystery/noir with staggering twists and turns of a mental battle between the interrogates and the interrogated. The story pivots the balance of power like no other movie I've ever seen. It is an exceptinoal psychological thriller that leaves you completely satisfied. I had no complaints with the acting or music (You won't enjoy the ending as much if you don't like oldies music, however), and the story is top notch with a script that plays it out thoroughly. The cinematography is above average, and very in sync with the music to make a great finale, and a great movie.

Rating:
Summary: Deciever is Far Too Overlooked and Unnoticed
Review: I cannot believe the scarcity of people who have actually seen this movie. Tim Roth is an incredible actor, and his intelligence permeates into a very believable role in a modern mystery/noir with staggering twists and turns of a mental battle between the interrogates and the interrogated. The story pivots the balance of power like no other movie I've ever seen. It is an exceptinoal psychological thriller that leaves you completely satisfied. I had no complaints with the acting or music (You won't enjoy the ending as much if you don't like oldies music, however), and the story is top notch with a script that plays it out thoroughly. The cinematography is above average, and very in sync with the music to make a great finale, and a great movie.

Rating:
Summary: a stylish muddle
Review: I really enjoyed this movie for its style and for some of the more compelling scenes. The murder is not solved and many interpretations of the "evidence" can be discussed to support the guilt or innocence of the two main suspects implicated in Elizabeth's death. It's a fun brain twister, and Tim Roth excels at playing the upper class jerk. There are a couple of memorable scenes but overall, this movie walks the line on being an involving exploration of the main characters. Almost great, but not quite.

Rating:
Summary: a stylish muddle
Review: I really enjoyed this movie for its style and for some of the more compelling scenes. The murder is not solved and many interpretations of the "evidence" can be discussed to support the guilt or innocence of the two main suspects implicated in Elizabeth's death. It's a fun brain twister, and Tim Roth excels at playing the upper class jerk. There are a couple of memorable scenes but overall, this movie walks the line on being an involving exploration of the main characters. Almost great, but not quite.

Rating:
Summary: Unknown jem
Review: I stumbled upon this movie after reading an interview with the Pate brothers (the writes/directors) in our local paper. I live in Charleston, SC and that is where the Pate brothers live. They actually wrote the script in the Charleston Public Library and filmed it here as well. This is a great movie. It has great acting, the script is solid and the movie keeps you guessing until the end. If you enjoy murder mystery thrillers this is for you. Tim Roth does some of his best work in this movie as well.