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Summary: A Not Quite Perfect Murder
Review: Paltrow and Douglas delivered strong performances. A Perfect Murder was no doubt a good movie. Personally, I would have preffered the alternate ending.
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Summary: Keeps you on your toes.
Review: Very interesting and exiting, with excellent acting from Gwyneth paltrow. The twists and turns are probably the best thing about it, but why is it priced at 90 $ or something!!!!
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Summary: The perfect film.
Review: This is one of the best films of 1998
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Summary: A nice film, with good acting, and convincing story
Review: I thought this film was very good. I saw it in the theater and bought it on DVD. I thought Douglas played his roll very nicely, always convincing. While its true, there is no "Good Guy" in this film, dont let it shy you from at least a rent, and possably a buy. The only thing I didnt like was that is seemed to me, it progressed a little too fast for me early on, but after the first half-hour the pace slowed a bit, and I was able to get into it quite a bit.
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Summary: A classic story...with a 90's atmosphere.
Review: Of course this is an updated version of "Dial M for Murder" a Hitchcock classic. I enjoy the story and the film sheds some of the film noir stuff used in the B&W film.
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Summary: Implausable copy of Dial M for Murder
Review: As a fan of Dial M for Murder, I saw it when it first appeared on British TV. The BBC had a sunday night play program and this was one of the stories. This performance and the earlier movie, 1954, with Grace Kelly and Ray Milland was far better, good music too. Director Hitchcock followed the original story. This new movie has some clever twists but also has some awful gaps and holes. I did not like Michael Douglas as one of the leads. I found him very boring, totally dead sounding and looking, (I guess he didn't like the story either) and unconvincing. Indeed he has a long way to go to catch up with his father. Not a good movie.
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Summary: The suspense never reaches a boiling point.
Review: Warner hasn't produced any significant hit in the last couple of years, but they sure know how to produce quality DVDs that somehow make their movies a bit more compelling. Such is the case with their latest release of A Perfect Murder. The studio could've saved the money and release this moderate hit movie on DVD without any supplement, instead the disc contains enough extras to add another interesting dimension to the movie. For starter, I think it is a great idea for the studio to include an alternative ending on DVD when there is one. Many movies are screen tested with different endings prior to the release. Usually the one that garnered the most favorable responses from the test audiences will be chose. With the alternative ending on DVD, we are allowed the oppurtunity to see what the test audiences saw and perhaps we might arrive on a different conclusion. In The Boxer, I prefer the alternative ending which feel to have more of a closure than the original. For A Perfect Murder, I can see the reason behind why the original ending was a better choice. It's just another interesting aspect that I hope to see more on DVDs in the future.The other supplements include a commentary track given by Michael Douglas, director Andrew Davis, and screenwriter Patrick Smith Kelly. That should be enough for this movie, but another commentary track is included with the producer, designers, cinematographer, and other crew. Having Douglas on a commentary track is a rare oppurtunity, so it was interesting to hear him talk about the role and career experiences. Most of the commentary though is occupied by director Davis and screenwriter Kelly. The movie is full of implausibilities and I was curious to see how they were going to wriggle out some explanations. Behind much enthusiasm, each did their part in dissecting the film and provided many interesting tidbits about the production that somehow lent more credibility to the plot. Unfortunately, the other commentary track is very difficult to understand as the background soundtrack is left too loud. The pressing of this dual side, single layer DVD is excellent as with most Warner releases. There are some slight digital artifacts on the edges, but you have to really look hard to notice them. The production design evolves around the posh New York apartment where Steven and Emily live and a cluttered artist studio where David and Emily consume their affair. The rich and warm lighting in Steven's surrounding accentuates the luxurious lifestyle, whereas David's studio has more of a stark atmosphere. Colors have strong characterisitc and images are razor-sharp. Blacks are near glossy and shadow details are distinct. The picture is perfectly framed at approximately 1.85:1 and a pan and scan version is available on the other side. Most of the ambience of the Dolby Digital soundtrack is provided by James Newton Howard's score which has an expansive frontal stage, but not as prominent in the surrounds. The richly layered score is effective, but also a very typical thriller style with heavy brass and percussion. It doesn't make me want to run out and buy the CD soundtrack. The city environment provides for an occassional split surrounds and punctuates by full envelopment from traffic and train noise. Dialogue is naturally integrated. A Perfect Murder is watchable mainly for the three leading cast. At the same time, Paltrow and Douglas generate zero chemistry together. There is a nagging question of what Emily saw in Steven in the first place, especially when she is wealthier and twice as young. The suspense never reaches a boiling point as your mind is constantly trying to steer past the gaping holes in the plot. Moreover, the three characters are difficult to empathize with; one wants to kill his wife, the second is a con man, and the third is an adulterer. My recommendation is for rental and the supplements will add extra values if your interest is in the production.
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Summary: Perfectly Entertaining
Review: A tightly plotted, beautifully mounted updating of Hitchcock's "Dial M for Murder" that grabs your attention during the opening credits and doesn't let go until the final scene. Douglas, Paltrow, and Mortensen are all superbly cast in their roles. Each plays a character whose true nature and motives are revealed slowly, in sometimes astonishing layers, and the film works as well as it does in large part because each actor gives a carefully nuanced performance that retains consistency despite the twists and turns of the intricate plot. The DVD transfer is just about flawless, with crisp, sharp visuals and pure sound. The alternate ending is the kind of bonus material that makes the DVD format so exciting for cinema buffs but the absence of the theatrical trailer is a big disappointment. Still, this movie is recommended for fans of Douglas, Paltrow, and the mystery-thriller genre. (And trivia buffs will want to watch for David Eigenberg of TV's "Sex and the City" as one of Douglas' employees.)
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Summary: A Perfect Murder
Review: A Perfect Murder is a re-make of the Hitchcock film, "Dial M for Murder." Steven Taylor, played by Michael Douglas, pays David, an artist played by Viggo Montenson, to kill his wife Emily, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Emily and David are having a affair. The plan seems perfect, but is it? The murder is thwarted and the rules change. There is much suspense, and the plot contains several twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Douglas, Paltrow, and Mortenson do excellent jobs with their roles. The DVD contains commentary by the director and Michael Douglas. It also has an alternate ending that I don't think works as well as the one in the theatrical release. "A Perfect Murder" is a very good movie.
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Summary: MONEY TALKS...
Review: This glossy, stylish, and elegant remake of Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 film, "Dial M for Murder", forges its own identity, as it leaves behind the theatrical underpinnings of the original film. Screenwriter Patrick Smith Kelly offers up an intelligent, well written script with some surprising twist and turns. Beautifully directed by Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Under Siege, The Package), the film delicately weaves its ingenious plot. Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) is a driven, wall street tycoon whose wife, Emily Bradford Taylor (Gwyneth Paltrow) is an heiress, fabulously wealthy in her own right. They live in a lavishly appointed apartment in Manhattan. The only fly in their ointment, or so it seems, is that Emily is having a love affair with a down and out artist, David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen). It seems, however, that there is a dark side to the relationship between Steven and Emily, as Emily is decidedly unhappy with it. Moreover, unbeknownst to Emily, her artist boyfriend is not all that he appears to be nor is her husband, Steven, who is not as rich as he purports to be. Apparently, a series of bad investments have left him with margin calls that are set to leave him on the brink of bankruptcy. What's a guy to do? Well, if you are like Steven Taylor, a ruthless, self-absorbed creep, you look to get your wife's money, at all costs. He knows about his wife's lover and will seek to use him, making David an offer he can't refuse. This decision sets in motion a cat and mouse game that leaves the viewer wondering, just who is the cat and who is the mouse? Who will live and who will die? This is a solid thriller that will keep the viewer riveted to the screen. Excellent performances are given by all. Michael Douglas is excellent as Steven Taylor, a cool and collected ruthless character who has sacrificed his very humanity to greed, power, and conspicuous consumption. He will stop at nothing to get what he wants. It is a role similar to that of Gordon Gekko, the character that Douglas played to critical acclaim in Oliver Stone's film, "Wall Street". It is Gwyneth Paltrow's performance, however, that is the most notable. She infuses the role of Emily with a surprising strength and vulnerability, creating a sympathetic character. This is no easy task, considering that her character, a gloriously wealthy, gorgeous woman who is two-timing and deceiving her husband. Considering her husband, however, it is understandable. She does, however, seem to be looking for love in all the wrong places, as her lover has his own issues. Viggo Mortensen gives an excellent performance as Emily's lover, David. It appears, however, that Emily may have picked a lover not all that different from her husband. Viggo Mortensen plays his part both hot and cold, as he is clearly conflicted by what Steven has asked him to do, despite the fact that it will give him what he originally set out to get. He manages, however, to turn the table on Steven, only to have Steven turn the table on him. Sarita Choudhury gives a warm performance as Emily's friend, Raquel Martinez. David Suchet of Hercule Poirot fame effectively plays the part of the wily detective, Mohamed Karaman, who comes into the picture when Emily is almost murdered and is most sympathetic towards Emily. All in all, this is a wonderful film that those who enjoy thrillers and murder mysteries will enjoy having in their personal collection. Bravo!
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