Deceiver

Rating:
Summary: Manipulated and Lied to
Review: In flashbacks Roth's Wayland shows real affection for Zellweger's character - Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the only person who will listen to him. (who cares) She is intuitive about him -- in one of the best scenes of the movie she notes that he had been laughing "but it wasn't a real laugh, was it?" and talks about the saddest thing being hope. The scene is strong, but I'm unclear how everything that happens ties into what we are shown here. This could have been a great film, but there is no logical explanation for the ending that fits the motivations of every character. We are given pieces just to trick us, and in the end we are not so much tricked as left with a puzzle that can't be solved. If Wayland killed Elizabeth - then Why? Why would someone kill the one person who understood them (who could see who they really were?) There could have been some fascinating psychology put into play here - if this Was the case - then wouldn't the film have been more intriguing if that subject was dealt with? - ala The Talented Mr. Ripley - and trying to understand a person who can't bear to have someone see the Truth about them - as they have been living lies all their life. Or maybe Wayland just couldn't bear to be loved ... as his parents seemed devoid of the stuff. So Elizabeth did the one unforgiveable thing, and noticed him and cared about him... this is where the script could have went for some shred of motivation for What Went Wrong -- it has all the potential and underpinnings for it, but nothing is fleshed out. Maybe it could have been saved with the scene that is missing - something between Elizabeth and Wayland. It is understandable for Wayland to lie to the cops - but it isn't right for the filmmakers to lie to us - at least not in the end - when we want the payoff of being able to decipher who did what and why. Great writers know how to finish a story. It's too bad - because this could have been a great film if someone had the foresight to put it together right. I still enjoyed watching the film for the cat and mouse games in the interrogation room... the kind of power plays I found so interesting in the early years of Homicide are in play here (if in a less sophisticated form -- or I should say a form that has less understanding of human psychology.)
There's confusion in this film, and not just the good kind of confused as you try to understand who did what.
I know it sounds like I really didn't think much of Deceiver. On the contrary, while the story has its share of problems there are times when it delivers the goods. The triangle of tension and deceit between the police detectives and Wayland is compelling. Tim Roth steals the show as Wayland. Roth is both vulnerable yet calculating and devilishly devious - a heady and interesting mix.

Rating:
Summary: Manipulated and Lied to
Review: In flashbacks Roth's Wayland shows real affection for Zellweger's character - Elizabeth. Elizabeth is the only person who will listen to him. (who cares) She is intuitive about him -- in one of the best scenes of the movie she notes that he had been laughing "but it wasn't a real laugh, was it?" and talks about the saddest thing being hope. The scene is strong, but I'm unclear how everything that happens ties into what we are shown here. This could have been a great film, but there is no logical explanation for the ending that fits the motivations of every character. We are given pieces just to trick us, and in the end we are not so much tricked as left with a puzzle that can't be solved. If Wayland killed Elizabeth - then Why? Why would someone kill the one person who understood them (who could see who they really were?) There could have been some fascinating psychology put into play here - if this Was the case - then wouldn't the film have been more intriguing if that subject was dealt with? - ala The Talented Mr. Ripley - and trying to understand a person who can't bear to have someone see the Truth about them - as they have been living lies all their life. Or maybe Wayland just couldn't bear to be loved ... as his parents seemed devoid of the stuff. So Elizabeth did the one unforgiveable thing, and noticed him and cared about him... this is where the script could have went for some shred of motivation for What Went Wrong -- it has all the potential and underpinnings for it, but nothing is fleshed out. Maybe it could have been saved with the scene that is missing - something between Elizabeth and Wayland. It is understandable for Wayland to lie to the cops - but it isn't right for the filmmakers to lie to us - at least not in the end - when we want the payoff of being able to decipher who did what and why. Great writers know how to finish a story. It's too bad - because this could have been a great film if someone had the foresight to put it together right. I still enjoyed watching the film for the cat and mouse games in the interrogation room... the kind of power plays I found so interesting in the early years of Homicide are in play here (if in a less sophisticated form -- or I should say a form that has less understanding of human psychology.)
There's confusion in this film, and not just the good kind of confused as you try to understand who did what.
I know it sounds like I really didn't think much of Deceiver. On the contrary, while the story has its share of problems there are times when it delivers the goods. The triangle of tension and deceit between the police detectives and Wayland is compelling. Tim Roth steals the show as Wayland. Roth is both vulnerable yet calculating and devilishly devious - a heady and interesting mix.

Rating:
Summary: Great noir film
Review: Outstanding performance by Tim Roth, probably the best of him. This is a duel of diferent personalities where not everything is like it seems to be. I've been waiting this movie on dvd for a long time.

Rating:
Summary: THE WRATH OF ROTH
Review: Tim Roth gives a mesmerizing and commanding performance in this exceptional thriller. Roth plays the suspect in a brutal murder of a prostitute. He is brought in for lie detector test by detectives Chris Penn and Michael Rooker. Roth proves to be an exceptionally good liar, and a cat and mouse game ensues. Seems like our policemen have their own secrets, too. Penn is in debt to a bookie (played by a malicious Ellen Burstyn) for $20,000. Rooker's wife (Rosanna Arquette) is having an affair with her obstetrician. Somehow the extremely rich Roth knows all of this and uses it.
Renee Zelweger portrays the murder victim, and although she's not used a whole lot, she has some compelling scenes and evidence of her talent is blossoming.
Directors and Jonah and Joshua Pate have some effective camera angles; only the movie's ambiguous ending leaves one a little disappointed. But Roth's performance is great, and you should enjoy the tension. Rooker and Penn are also outstanding; Rooker is one of our most underappreciated actors.