| Under Suspicion |
 |
 |
|
| Rating: Mixed Distributor: Columbia Tri-Star MPAA Rating: R Genre: Drama, Mystery Running Length: 1 hour, 50 minutes Release Date: September 22nd, 2000 (limited) Director: Stephen Hopkins Cast: Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Thomas Jane, and Monica Belluci. |
| Plot: Two friends, one a tax attourney (Gene Hackman), and one a policeman (Morgan Freeman), go head to head in a clash of wills as a murder mystery unfolds. The attourney keeps lying, leading the policeman to believe that his friend committed two terrible murders. The attourney continues to dig himself into a terrible hole, unfolding truths after truths about not only his personal life, but the murders. His wife (Monica Belluci), seems to be shady character, as is the young fiery detective (Thomas Jane), who is out to get the attourney. They all are clapped together in the battle until the stunning climax. |
| Critique: Under Suspicion is a small budget indie, that boasts two big time stars, Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. Both produced the film, which leads us to believe it was a fun little pet project. I hope they had fun because I did. Although the film had some major flaws it worked, mainly due to the top of the line acting. We except nothing less of course, from Hackman and Freeman. One of the film's biggest flaws, is the overzealous direction by Stephen Hopkins. He is much to flashy, and often distracting, as he applies his overkill direction. Also, the film loses steam at its middle, and even gets a bit stale. However, it picks up for a slam bam finale, that is not great, but fascinating nonetheless. It is stunning in how surprising it is, and only at the end to you realize how you have been thoroughly misdirected. Besides Hackman and Freeman, Jane and Belucci give over average performances even if they cannot match the stars move for move. The cinematography is flashy, and ambitious, but thanks to Hopkins and his overdrive it falls short. The score is very interesting, and eery at times. The script isn't awesome, but it is quick and intelligent. The final product does not have the meat that a better qualitiy film would, but it has enough to fill you up. It is basically well delivered, and although Hopkins' direction needs work he isn't so terrible that he crushes the film. Hackman and Freeman should be commended for the humble little film they created, and the great chemistry they have. The script is solid, and the ending is very good. In conclusion, Under Suspicion is worth your time. review by supernothingman |
| 1/2 |