Under Suspicion
Two young girls are dead. A wealthy lawyer who discovered the second girl's body is a suspect. His longtime friend is the detective in charge of the case. Set in an exotic locale, this character study wrapped inside a murder mystery takes fascinating twists and turns en route to a stunning conclusion. The lead actors, both of whom executive produced and helped nurture the project, are played by two of the most respected actors in the business. Sounds like a box-office smash, right?
Wrong. After debuting at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, Under Suspicion played on just 19 theaters, quickly left the cineplexes, and arrived in video stores with barely a shred of hype. The film marks the reteaming of screen legends Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman, who first appeared together in the landmark Clint Eastwood western Unforgiven. So what happened?
For starters, the movie proved divisive for both critics and audiences alike. A "remake" of a 1981 French film, Under Suspicion is a little offbeat and often defies traditional genre expectations. It's a "small" movie in the sense that much of it takes place in a police interrogation room, there are essentially only four characters, and there's a lot of dialogue. As Morgan Freeman sadly noted when discussing the difficulty he and Hackman had in finding funding for this project, "No mayhem, no money."
Despite these alleged shortcomings, Under Suspicion is a compelling, interesting, entertaining and thoughtful film that skillfully explores such topics as jealousy, marriage/love, friendship, how different people perceive "reality" differently, the nature of memory, police coercion and more. The plot, while intriguing, ultimately serves as an instrument to explore the real issue at hand: the development of Hackman's fascinating character and his impact on the people around him.
Director Stephen Hopkins does solid work in Under Suspicion, adding arty, original directorial touches that strengthen many of the film's themes. For instance, he uses the extremely innovative technique of placing Freeman and Hackman "in" flashback scenes where they continue to interrogate and interact with the film's characters. This unusual tactic injects a sense of freshness and eerieness in flashback sequences that might otherwise have grown stale. It also deepens the ideas the film raises about the nature of memory by offering different perspectives of the same event. The movie questions the nature of "reality" and how it changes based on a person's perceptions, expectations and biases.
Hackman and Freeman give brave, layered peformances that classify as acting at a higher level. Freeman, who has played the detective role to death in recent years, does his most heartfelt "cop" work since Seven. Hackman, alternately brutal, cocky, deviant and vulnerable, delivers a brilliant, astounding performance that ranks among the best of his illustrious career.
The riveting interaction between Hackman and Freeman eventually climaxes in a surprise ending that's sure to infuriate some viewers. Although it's a little rushed, the stunning, shattering conclusion is both thought-provoking and ultimately satisfying considering the characters and what we've learned about them. It's the perfect culmination for a film that explores what is "real," what is "imagined" and what is "perceived," and the conflict that arises between the "truth" and the imagined "reality."
A top-notch sleeper, Under Suspicion is a great murder mystery/character study that's crisply written, nicely directed and brilliantly acted by Hackman and Freeman. It's sad to realize that studios are spending millions marketing mega-budget schlock like Planet of the Apes and America's Sweethearts and giving rock-solid pics like Under Suspicion short shrift. Even if you don't find this film as compelling as I did, I'm betting you'll enjoy the chemistry between Hackman and Freeman and rank Under Suspicion as a more thoughtful and entertaining pic than the vast majority of movies on the rental shelves and in theaters right now.
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Considering the film's intensity and numerous plot twists, it's best to remain sober so you can keep up with the action.
Prostitution, infedility and pedophilia are just a few of the fiery issues addressed in this film. Still think you're gonna get lucky?
Buy this movie from Amazon.com
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