Murder most monotonous

>> Despite star power, Under Suspicion sinks

by MATTHEW HAYS

Under Suspicion found itself off to a rather rocky launch with the Montreal press corps last August when the film had its premiere at the World Film Fest. The premiere was fêted with a press conference where both Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman were in attendance; certainly, with two leads who carry this much weight, the film must have something going for it.

But mysteriously enough, the press conference took place at the very same time as the screening of the film. Thus it looked at as though backers of Under Suspicion had confidence that Hackman and Freeman would draw a crowd but little confidence that the film would draw praise.

Sad to report, much of Under Suspicion lives down to the suspicion. While hardly dreadful, it's not exactly a riveting, gripping drama either. Hackman plays a wealthy lawyer who lives in Puerto Rico. On a morning jog, he managed to find the corpse of a dead girl who'd been raped and strangled. As the first person on the scene, he's a suspect, and his drunken blackout near the scene of another murder (another young girl who'd been raped) makes him a shoe-in for the crimes.

Enter Freeman, who arrests Hackman while the well-heeled socialite is on his way to an important fundraising dinner. Hackman's words are desperately needed to help raise money for the island, thus Freeman must deliver Hackman to make his speech, in the midst of his interrogation. The bulk of the film is made up of their tête-a-tête, as the two face off on the issue of the truth. Did Hackman commit the murders?

There's not a whole lot to keep us guessing here. But knowing that in a post-Sleuth/Deathtrap/Crying Game/Sixth Sense/Fight Club world there's got to be some kind of catch, Hackman's obvious guilt means we're lead away from that conclusion, which ultimately means the film's gotcha finale feels kinda forced and not as sharp and clever as it's supposed to.

No doubt Hackman and Freeman co-produced this film--at least in part--in an effort to work together. And it is satisfying watching these talents interact onscreen. But the film, a remake of the French cult classic Garde à vue, doesn't live up to expectations. Better luck next time.

Under Suspicion opens Friday, Nov. 17