Amazon.com

Despite an abundance of gaping plot holes, White Noise serves up enough spooky atmosphere to make it worth a look-see for fans of supernatural thrillers. Even when hampered with a shoddy, clumsily written screenplay, Michael Keaton brings professional conviction to his role as a grieving widower who is introduced to the mysterious (and according to paranormal researchers, highly documented) existence of EVP, or Electronic Voice Phenomenon, which allows the dead to communicate (one-way only, it seems) from the great beyond, through images and voices recordable on a variety of electronic media such as VCRs, computers, etc. Seeking contact with his recently deceased wife, Keaton finds dire warnings of evil in the afterlife, with connections (all too convenient) to killings and disappearances in his Vancouver, British Columbia vicinity. British TV director Geoffrey Sax brings slick style to this hokum, and a few moments of genuine eeriness, but you may find yourself giggling too much to appreciate the highlights. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (88)

Interesting for awhile then it just...
Ghosts, UFO's and aliens, bigfoot and psychic abilities are always in that debatable category where some believe in it and others don't, despite evidence to the contrary but merely dismiss it. One such area has been steadily increasing in interest is EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomenon. In this, images or sounds from the afterlife appear or are heard on a detuned radio or on your tv static. So the film, unlike the Forgotten, gets you into a topic you wouldn't otherwise know of, but they just can't make a good film out of it in the end.

Jonathan Rivers is a re-married man whose living his wife Anna, who's a successful writer, who's also pregnant. One night she doesn't come home until he realizes she's missing. Sure enough, her car is found abandoned by the docks. She's found dead couple weeks later. A man approaches him and says that Anna's been communicating with him through EVP. Jonathan dismisses it until he starts to realize there might be something.

This draws him further and further into EVP until it literally consumes his life and becomes an obsession. The voices tell him to save people before they die, but there's 3 shadowed men that don't want anyone interfering. Helping him is Sarah, who lost her fiance.

The film is similar to any other recent horror movie which scares you by that silence then wham, big boom in the score. One example is when he is watching a normal TV static until a woman suddenly screams and appears on tv. Some of the scares seem a little obvious like when 3 apparitions appear in a room. The scene looks just completely green sceen looking.

The film has quite a lot of plot points and script problems that'll scratch your head. Like they say it takes quite awhile before you have your first EVP since it helps if you're in an area with history, yet he receives them like wildfire. In one sequence, the obligatory "montage" scene he gets nothing for a long time then he attracts them like Winnie the Pooh to honey.

The film is interesting on a topical level and it might make you jump several times but on an actual film basis, it's rather lacking.

Side note: I don't know if it was just my disc but I couldn't really rewind the film and it actually just fast forwarded and I couldn't stop it and had to turn it off(the disc or something else? Hm.) Also the bonus features had sections with literally no sound even though everything else was heard perfectly.

Great Film: A few drops in the DVD qualitry
I enjoyed the film in the Theatre immensely. The DVD version is great, especially the clarity, and the BAM factor in the audio. I saw comments that noted so-called plot holes before seeing the movie, and I still do not see any of the so called plot holes mentioned in the editorial.
This film is well instructed, and done with an exactness and economy that is impressive.After listening to the commentary, its because the director is a BBCalumni. The commentary is not advertised on the box at all, nor on any extras details that I am aware of. I would have given the film 5 stars if it were not for the fact that because of a DVDproduction mess up, Keaton had to leave 15 minutes before the film's end for him to go on a holiday. Whilst the commentary is not the greatest, it does make the key point that this film was forced into a PG-13 rating by the makers of the film cutting some of the key scenes. The studios are getting way too much influence from the right wing Neo-Cons.
Anyways, the extras are great. The key thing about this film, is you will enjoy it, as Kaeton notes, if you buy into the idea of EVP, well, if you have, then these extras will totally chill you !!! They are fun, and totally awesome. The audio on this film is well done, and in 5.1 all I can say is WOW... what a great watch, and a chilling listen ( good audio mix too).

The best of it's kind since "THE RING"!more static please!
Whether you believe in EVP or not, I'd like to think of it from an agnostic standpoint:It can neither be proved, nor disproved.

White Noise has some of the same cliché's as other supernatural based movies (deceased spouse trying to reach husband, think Firefly or What lies beneath, Frequency) but what makes WN a movie apart from the rest in many ways, is that these are not people coming back to haunt or scare.They are ordinary people who's lives were cut short, and with no closure, are trying to reach back to various people so they can send that one last message to a loved one before moving on...

...What moves this movie from different to bizarre is the fact that Michael Keatons character, "Jonathan Rivers", is starting to receive messages in the form of EVP (think of the most annoying thing in the world, Radio Static and Snow TV...now think of once in a while, a message of some sort coming across, like the very energy of their departed soul is still lingering just enough to transmit through electronic means) that are showing him that it's not all about events or people or signs that are within one's past...

...and another thing that is interesting, is the preview of the notion that yes, for every good person out there trying to reach back, there's a bad one as well!Their messages are a mixture of love, hate, direction, and question.

I'd like to think when someone passes away, that their compassion, energy, and capability of love and hate, are strong enough that they do not just burn out like a light-bulb as their physical form does.I find EVP to be a fascinating phenomena.

This movie has many scary moments that will make you jump out of your chair, but more often than not, it's not about SCARING, it's about trying to understand communication from someone who is no longer among the living.

The overall cinematic appeal is excellent, the simple yet driven home glimpses of cassette recorders all the way to high tech digital equalizer equipment sets the mood for a strange and unexplained science that is feared or scoffed by some, reveled and marveled by others.

Michael Keaton is great in his role as an architect who's becomes fascinated with the phenomena of EVP and digs deeper and deeper into it, trying to communicate with a certain someone who's sending him a message.

PROS:Keaton and the surrounding cast are great
EVP is a phenomena that is not proved nor disproved....but voices and images in general recorded static tends to make you shiver....
Cintematically great, it' views of the recorder machines help take us into the sanctum of recording messages from "another side".

CONS:Could have been a little more intense in terms of the surrounding characters and plot.We get tons of Michael Keaton and static and all, but we needed a little more intrigue and mystery on the surface with some of the things (the missing woman) that is going on.
Why is It nearly every drama, crime movie, or intense horror thriller, the husband is an architect?Can we not come up with any other high-profile job?And yes Doctors, Lawyers, and Writers have already been covered!
Why is it every drama dealing with a city has to have something happen in an abandoned Warehouse or Industrial Complex?Are you really meaning to tell me there are not any homeless people hanging out here? Or drug dealers?Or perhaps there's a security guard or cop in the area?

EVP was fun because it delved into a subject that has not really been covered before.Overall I enjoyed the movie and have no major criticisms.Considering all the crap that we are saturated in when it comes to these kinds of films (where 99% are haunted house hashes of some sort) this one is actually overwhelmingly intellactually refreshing!

This film did what it was SUPPOSED to do...
This film did what it was SUPPOSED to do...

Regardless of what you thought of this film, or will think of this film, it does what it is ultimately supposed to do - make you aware of, and perhaps pique your curiosity about Electronic Voice Phenomenon.

I've read what seems like hundreds of reviews here on Amazon.com and haven't seen a single comment on what was REALLY going on with the antogonist(s) here. Read other reviews for the plot and for story spoilers, then read the following and insert it into your thinking. The movie will NOT explain the following, but it helps if you know it.

The film features, more and more as it wends it's way towards drama, an image of menace in the form of a trio of dark spirits. This trio of low spirits FEEDS on the pain and suffering and negative drama of our mortal existences. They go a step beyond feeding and begin CAUSING these empowering negative emotions by affecting the living (EVP researchers) and coercing them to do their sadistic bidding or else killing them as they did Raymond Price if their demands are refused. The more a person is tortured, afraid and just stressed out, the more negative energy they produce for these spirit low-lifes to consume.This is a common basic premise for some cult activities - human sacrifices are pretty bland unless the sacrificee has been tortured and is in a state of utter panic, fear, dread and morbid disarray.The more horrified and suffering the more tasty and nourishing the spiritual energy.

This film could have been a complete freak out psychological horror fest had it focused on the trio and their successive attempts to affect more and more EVP enthusiasts into doing their evil bidding. A chilling scene would have been of our protagonist (Keaton) dying (at the hands of a 'darkly brainwashed' EVP enthusiast) as we managed to feel compassion for his plight, only to feed their evil hunger, and then either show directly, or allude to many, many more 'crazed, serial killers' seeking only the praise and increasing demands of the trio who are growing in power from their work.Believing that there are legions of serial killers out there serving dark demons via White Noise manipulation, you'd hold your loved ones close at all times and check over your shoulder often if it was pulled off convincingly enough.

But that's not what this movie was about. The movie was about EVP and yet Hollywood felt that we wouldn't swallow any bait (by spending our hard earned money) that was not glittery and dripping with dark drama and spell-it-out-for-you violence so we got what we got.However, the film did do something it set out to do - it introduced the whole concept of EVP to untold numbers of people worldwide and in so doing has done it's true purpose. Like the movie or not, believe it or not, make sense of it or not, you are now acutely aware of Electronic Voice Phenomenon.Consider it a nearly two hour infomercial on something you were not likely familiar with before.

Everyone has different perceptions on everything. Some see being alone as a tragic loneliness, others see it as a wonderful time for meditation, self reflection and introspection. Some like rain, some hate it, etc.

Watch the extra EVP materials on the White Noise DVD and whether you want to buy into it or not, just sit alone in a dark room by yourself, perhaps with the TV on to static and allow yourself to drift into a deep state of "What if..."If you manage to go there, decide THEN if the movie was a waste of your time or not. It opened my mind to consider these possibilities regardless of what I thought about the plot, story or actors.

I say perceive the movie for yourself and make up your own mind.

Try something else...... Not scary!
What do you get if you add one part Poltergeist, with one part The Sixth Sense?Answer:White Noise.Michael Keaton stars in this less than stellar performance of a not so original story.

In the film Keaton plays Jonathan Rivers, a highly successful architect, married to Anna Rivers, a highly successful writer.Jonathon plans to put his job on hiatus and join his wife on her new book tour for her soon-to-be release book.However, upon the notice that his wife might be expecting, Anna fails returns home. After the abduction of his wife and her subsequent death, Jonathan becomes sullen and uncaring, distant and unaware of his surroundings until he becomes acquainted with Raymond Price (played by Ian McNeice).Price has also lost someone very close to him, his son, almost 12 years prior.However, Price receives messages, transmissions, and images from entities from the "other" side in the form of E.V.P.s (Electronic Voice Phenomena) or White Noise.The problem is that not all the transmissions are from "good" spirits.

Jonathan gets totally absorbed into this medium, and starts receiving regular messages from his wife.He quickly figures out that the transmissions that he's receiving are actually hints/clues to help him prevent impending death and disaster.The problem is that the "bad" entities are using the same technique to produce death and disaster.

In film has a great premise, and a good beginning; however, it quickly spirals into the absurd, with a trio of evil spirits out to kill mankind.I really believe the film could have been much better with a whole lots less going on.The writers could not decide what story they wanted to tell, and therefore was unable to tell any story effectively.The pinnacle of absurdity begins with Jonathan's wife making visual contact with him in a deserted warehouse, and culminates into what I can only describe as the hell demon sequence in Ghost.I could not figure out what message the film was trying to get across to the audience.What started out as a film about "righting the wrong" or telling love ones that you were okay, and start living your life again; turn into a film of "talk to the dead, and die" with both human and spiritual henchmen.

My advice would be to try another selection; there are much better films out there that are more scary or physiologically thrilling.This film is neither.

(...) ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This one hit home.
I saw this movie for the first time in 1996 - about a week before my birthday. I was trying to come to grips with several personal issues at once myself: Getting older, changing jobs, past relationships, alcoholism and loneliness. Selleck's character, though older than me, was all too familiar. His performance, as well as the entire cast, brought the story to life in an honest, believable way. The story goes to show that it's okay to have faults. It's also important to recognize who your real friends are and accept their help, too. Lastly, you cannot judge a person by their appearance, either. As Ruby Jean observes, "You must be somebody you don't look like." I'm not ashamed to say this movie brings this biker to tears every time I watch it. (Usually on my birthday.)

A touching movie - a slice of life
One of Selleck's great roles and that young girl played a touching and wonderful role as well. She touched my heart, as well as the Joe's girlfriend (another outstanding actress). Excellent through and through and even had an old cowboy (whose name escapes me) who tells Tom the truth about his rodeoing and life. Outstanding. Not many movies touch this "oldie but goodie" (me) but this one sure did. It struck a cord and I won't forgot it. It was one of those movies I had to IMMEDIATELY search for in hopes of buying it (at this price, no way). Five + stars and thanks to Lifetime TV for putting it on.

Leonard, this movie is MUCH more than just a 'buddy picture'
And 'offbeat'?? Where did he get that? This film is a classic. Tom Selleck portrays Joe Wade as a real person. He's heroic at times, but he's not immune to the human condition of self-doubt and regrets from the past. Rebekah Johnson as Ruby Jean Babcock perfectly balances vunerability with modern-day savvy about the world around her. Without unnecessary lewdness, the movie depicts a beautiful love story. Despite what others see when they look at them, Ruby Jean and Joe connect. The movie was heartwarming to watch and I am looking forward to it being released on DVD as I will certainly buy it!

So Close and yet So Far Away
I can't believe this movie hasn't been shown any more than it has. It really touched my heart. I guess it hasn't been shown because you have a young black girl and an aging white man. I don't know if prejudice will ever go away and that's really sad. This was a really good movie because it was so real. How many times do you see people that want to be together, but they don't because of other people and what might be said. This movie really needs to be shown more so people can see how it hurts not to be with someone you love.

Excellent Movie. Had the flu but stayed up to watch this 1!
I loved this movie. It gave a refreshing review of friendship without perversion. I was home sick with the flu, but once I saw a few minutes of it on TV, I was hooked. I, too, have experienced a very similar relationship. You cherish it for the rest of your life. I really want to buy the video, but am on a limited budget. Please let me know when it is on SALE. I've visited several video stores looking for it. I'd like to have it as part of my permanent my video library! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Best Modern Re-telling...Ever
I normally dislike movies that dispense with the words of Shakespeare. But for some reason, I loved this modern retelling of Othello.
It didn't feel false, like the so-called 'William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet'.
The acting in it is superb. Eamonn Walker really grabs ahold of the role of John Othello and makes it perfect. I honestly cannot think of another actor that could have played this role to such ability.
Christopher Eccleston's casting to play Ben Jago was the perfect choice. He really gets to the heart of the role. The friend, passed over for the job that was his. The words he uses as narrations are well written, and perfectly acted.
Overall, I give this retelling of Othello 5 stars. Though now, maybe someone can do a full telling of the traditional play in this medium.

Give it a chance...
Take Shakespeare's "Othello", stick it in modern-day England, (where both John Othello and Ben Jago *Iago* work at Scotland Yard,) take some prominent BBC actors, and you've got Masterpiece Theater's "Othello". It's hard not to automaticlly classify most "modern adaptations" as lame... but it's only fair to give them a chance, eh?

If you need even one reason to see this... it's Christopher Eccleston. He is one evil butt-munch. Smiling one minute, glaring daggers the next... and he can pull it off. He's a pretty talented actor, so it's pretty fun to watch him go psycho, lol. It should be a nice addition to any collection of Shakespeare videos. Enjoy!

A Beautiful Modern Retelling of a Shakespearian Classic
I first saw this rendition of "Othello" over a year ago on PBS, and I was absolutely enthralled with it. Unlike other modern renditions of Shakespearian plays, this version replaces the iambic pentameter with a natural scripted dialogue without losing the meaning and power of Shakespeare's orginal writing. You will fall in love and emphathize with Walker's powerful portrayal of the ill-fated Othello, and you will scorn and shudder at Eccleston's perfectly manipulative Jago. This is by far my favorite version of Othello.

Great Movie
Updated version of the classic. Racism, jealously, greed, and treachery all set the stage for murderous mahem and make this movie an absolute must!

Shakespeare? No, but....
I'm one of those people who hates when the classic's are changed in any way, shape or form. There are 4 actors in this film that I like, so I decided to give it a go. Friendly advice: pretend this movie has nothing to do with Shakespeare's Othello. You'll enjoy it and appreciate it much more. The acting was supberb and it was put together very well. It really held my attention. Give it a shot. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The first episode of the third season finds the irascible antique hunter and scam artist Lovejoy (Ian McShane) returning home six months after the windfall from his biggest commission ever. The money's gone, spent on ill-advised schemes, high living, and a flat for his daughter, but like a cat he lands on his feet, even inheriting a friend's country villa for an open-ended housesitting gig. Quickly putting his loyal team back together and reconnecting with gal pal Lady Jane Felsham (Phyllis Logan), he finds himself pulled into a dangerous plot involving a possibly invaluable ancient Incan gold ring, a desperate South American government official, Jane's alluring aristocratic friend Victoria (guest star Joanna Lumley), and a kidnapping in Lovejoy's own backyard. Lovejoy is not quite the cad his reputation suggests in this episode, but his skills as a con man come to the fore in a ploy to save both the girl and the gold. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another wonderful Lovable Lovejoy
In the opening episode of the third season, Divy Lovejoy find in all sorts of complications. When we last saw him, he had left everyone square money-wise, and was off for a much needed vacation. Now he is broke. All the money gone for various reasons and he is house-sitting for a sleaze Freddie the Phone.
He quickly gathers Lady Jane, Tink and Eric back and is ready for action.

Only Lady Jane has company, a old school chum, Victoria (Joanna Lumley). She is a widow of a South American political. Jane get him involved in brokering a deal for an ancient Inca gold ring for Victoria. For safe keeping, Eric convinces Lovejoy to use a new safe that works on eye identification instead of combination. Lovejoy sets up the deal, but find out there are some very nasty people after Victoria. This becomes apparent when Lady Jane is accidentally kidnapped instead of Victoria.

Lovejoy cannot get the safe to open, to get the ring as ransom for Lady Jane, so they pop over to Eaton to get the top safe cracker out of school. It's up to Lovejoy, knight-errant, to safe both damsels in distress.

First of four episodes to feature a romance between Lovejoy and Victoria.

Great fun. Just wish BBC would get off their duff and release lovejoy on DVD! ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is the Lovejoy we've come to fear and love. This fourth season episode finds the quick-thinking rascal broke, despondent, and uncharacteristically bored with antiques, but he suddenly comes to life when he plots an old-fashioned auction scam. Whetting his appetite by conning a naive young antique dealer (for a little operating cash), he proceeds to gather a group of retired pros to run a variation of an auction ring, but when a snag threatens the plan he pulls Lady Jane into the "only slightly illegal" scheme as an unwittingly accomplice. Lovejoy has always been at his best with his back against the wall and Ian McShane rises to the occasion with one of his most spirited performances. With a twinkle in his eye and barely suppressed grin on his face, McShane lets his audience know that the antique game is more fun when Lovejoy bends the rules. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (1)

McShane is a charming rogue
McShane took Jonathan Gash's books are made Lovejoy his own, a kinder, gentler character as it were. The Ring is one of the best episode of the series.

This picks up after Lovejoy is released from Jail (a set up) but he served time anyway with a roomie - a biker named Mavis. Lady Jane, Tink and Eric are concerned because Lovejoy seems rather depressed and not accepting help from them. He goes to an auction and find a series of watercolour in the cottage style. He decides if he can get one sold at a high price he can sell all 22 paintings so he resorts to his old shifty ways to bump the bidding. He goes to his old Ring - partners that conspire to drive up the price. Only one duffer takes a powder at the last instant leaving Lovejoy in the lurch. So he recruits Lady Jane without her knowing. And she is not a happy camper when she discovers how he used her.

It brightly written, with the devilish twinkle in McShane's eye...absolute gems for his fans. ... Read more

Description

Made for cable thriller about a judge (played by Tom Sellack) who is recruited by the Feds to help in a sting operation. He willingly helps to convict some crooked judges and lawyers, but soon the operation expands to include friends he believes to be hon ... Read more

Reviews (2)

An OK legal thriller starring Tom Selleck! Rent first!
This made for TV movie is OK legal thriller starring Tom Selleck(Running Mates). It's basically a good guy /bad guy movie !if you like Tom Sellec , you might enjoy this made for cable movie produced by Turner Enterainment(in other words TNT! ). Rent this movie first to see if you enjoy it before buying it!...Other that I agree with the maltin review...!

Enjoyed Selleck
The plot has interesting twists and I enjoyed Selleck's performance. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Young women in strict Muslim households used to send their pledges of love to young men through messages woven through the knots of a carpet in an Arab tradition that continues to this day, explains a dryly intoning narrator. "What, you may ask, has this to do with Lovejoy?" Plenty, as it turns out, when he agrees to sell an Anatolian carpet for Lady Jane and winds up sniffing out a plot when the bidding war over a seemingly ordinary Berber rug is followed by that carpet's theft. Lovejoy shows that for a rascal he too has a heart. While he seems to lose money every time he turns around in this episode, he becomes Cupid to one young lover, a guardian angel to a high-spirited eccentric with a house full of antique treasures, and an uncharacteristically sensitive friend to Lady Jane when her rocky marriage is suddenly put on the line. Not bad for Britain's most notorious, trouble-prone antique hunter. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (2)

another Lovejoy treasure!
It's musical chairs with rugs for Lovejoy, Tink and Eric.

It starts with Lady Jane buying an expensive Anatolian carpet she really loved her bedroom. Her husband blows his stack, but we soon see the is only the "excuse" for the real problems in their marriage. Rug #1

Rug number #2 comes into play when an elderly lady buys a carpet for her dog, unaware that particular carpet held a special meaning for a lovesick lad. When it is stolen, Lovejoy, Tink and Eric have to suss out why an ordinary Berber carpet is causing such a flack.

Lovejoy must solve the riddle, sell Lady Jane's carpet and find a replacement for everyone. So, not only is Lovejoy a divee, an antique dealer like none other, but he is forced into being Sherlock Holmes, Dear Abby, Cupid and a Guardian Angel to a dear old lady and her dog. A man of many hats!

Charmingly directed, acted and written. JUST PLEASE PUT THEM ON DVD!!

Lovejoy is a Joy!
Lovejoy mysteries deal strictly with the world of antiques. There is plenty of British humor here as well as adventure and mystery. This episode is typical of Lovejoy finding his way into things to make a lot of cash only to blow it to satisfy curiosity and to help a friend in need (Lady Jane). This episode sees the end of Lady Jane's marriage which is unfortunate but not unexpected. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lovejoy's independent-minded daughter Vicki (Amelia Shankley) finds an 18th-century Scottish commemorative sword in her attic and puts it up for auction, inadvertently bidding up her own dad. Lovejoy is about to chalk it up to experience when a Scot named Kinloch (Edward Hardwicke) offers him more than double the value, which only sets his opportunistic mind whirling with possibilities. After a series of robbery attempts Lovejoy decides to investigate Kinloch and witnesses a bizarre dinnertime ritual at his palatial estate. The episode rings with offbeat humor and irony as fate takes an even stronger hand than Lovejoy in the final revelations of the sword's secrets. --Sean Axmaker ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A gem of a Lovejoy episode
This episode finds Lovejoy at odds with his grown daughter. To make up for not being the best of absentee fathers while Victoria was growing up, Lovejoy creates a London showroom for his antiques and set daughter up in the showroom as helper and a place for her to live. Victoria wants a real job and to own her own apartment, which sets daughter and father on collision course.

Further complicating matters, Victoria discovers a very rare and unusual Scottish claymore, which she puts up on the sly at an auction and Lovejoy buys not knowing his daughter is the seller!

18th-century Scottish commemorative sword draws the interest of a Scot named Kinloch (Edward Hardwicke) who offers him more than double the value. Instead of taking the officer, Lovejoy -ever ready to turn a sale into an even better sale - sets about to suss out why someone would be offered 3 times the price for the Sword. This leads to Lovejoy being followed, a break-in of the London flat where Lovejoy has to climb on the roof to escape, and in turn leads Lovejoy to break into Kinloch's castle. It's Men in Kilts and Lovejoy out to find out wha' ha' ye!

Great fun - especially when Eric and Victoria trade clothes to fool the people spying on Lovejoy and Eric ends up with a Pink t-shirt saying "so many men...so little time". Sharply, directed, acted and written. Vintage Lovejoy where McShane shines!

Just PLEASE release all the Lovejoy's on DVD....NOW!! ... Read more

Reviews (4)

A Good British Psychological Suspense Thriller (4.5 Stars)
This 1992 British psychological suspense thriller was written by Lynda La Plante, writer of Prime Suspect and Trial and Retribution, and I think most fans of PBS's erstwhile Mystery! series should enjoy this film, which is captivating and satisfying but not as hard-edged as the other two series mentioned.

For those unfamiliar with Lynda La Plante in particular or with British productions in general, this is not an action-packed thriller with plenty of the shoot-outs and car chases that one comes to expect from Hollywood productions. Certainly, there is some action and there is plenty of suspense, but it is entertainment of a more cerebral nature wherein the viewer watches with an active mind. Indeed, you'll be thinking about the show long after it ends as you try to piece together in your mind just what exactly happened.

Briefly, and without giving anything away, Timothy Dalton splendidly portrays Eddie Myers, a wily criminal who some time ago had grassed on his accomplices in a bank robbery but managed to escape from custody before the trial. Although the money had never been found, a corpse turned up which had been identified as being Myers. The film opens when Larry Jackson (David Morrissey), a young police officer on holiday in Spain, spots someone who he is certain is Myers. Myers is picked up, and having thus feathered his cap, Jackson is given the honour of being Myers' shadow while he is, once again, in custody. And so begin the mind games, for Jackson's task is get into Myers' mind. But is Jackson getting into Myers' mind, or is Myers getting into Jackson's mind? That is the issue, and like watching a cat toying with a mouse, the film moves at a pace that allows the viewer to witness the progress that each character makes (or thinks he makes).

In conclusion, I found this to be a good, solid psycological suspense thriller in which one really didn't know who had the upper hand, who was the winner, and who the loser until the very end. And even then we are not entirely certain. Most British productions benefit from repeated viewings (making them, in my opinion, good value for money), and this one is certainly no exception.

Recommended to fans of British suspense dramas in general, and particularly to fans of PBS's Mystery! series.

save your money
If you are a fan of Timothy Dalton, save your money. Get "Jane Eyre", the Bond movies he did, and "A Lion in Winter". Don't bother with the other work he's done- you will be disappointed. What makes him great in "Jane Eyre" and the Bond pictures doesn't translate well into other works he's chosen to do- the Rochester character doesn't translate into other media. I think he's made some bad choices as an actor since becoming well known for some really great work in the above pictures, and his dark saturnine looks and heavy brooding acting don't work outside of period pieces. Disapppointing! Have suffered through the rest and it was an effort to watch. I want my money back (and the wasted time spent!)

Dark Thriller
Timothy Dalton at his enigmatic, devious best. This is a dark, engrossing cat-and-mouse mystery starring an excellent British cast. Dalton, one of my all-time favorites despite some appalling role choices, here plays a mysterious criminal who engages in a chilling head game with the young police officer assigned to "babysit" him while the police interrogate him. Dalton's character's gradual corruption of the naive young officer gives the main impetus to this at times heart-stopping tale of intrigue and psychological hide and seek.

Framed
Being a big Timothy Dalton fan, especially from his role as James Bond I decided to give you the true feeling about some of his other credits. Here wee discuss 'Framed' which I think is one of his better works. Why? Because it has a very good plot, good supporting cast and a good twist to keep you guessing what is about to come next!
Tim's character was well written and it seems he put a lot of thought into picking this role, something he tends to lack in other choices!
Timothy West puts in an excellent performance as ever and the two work well against each other, if you were hesitating about whether to pick this film, don't hesitate any more it's worth getting!! ... Read more