Under Suspicion (2000 film)
| Under Suspicion | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Stephen Hopkins |
| Produced by |
Lori McCreary Anne Marie Gillen Stephen Hopkins Executive producers Morgan Freeman Gene Hackman Maurice Leblond Ross Grayson Bell |
| Screenplay by |
Tom Provost W. Peter Iliff |
| Based on |
Brainwash by John Wainwright Garde à vue by Claude Miller Jean Herman Michel Audiard |
| Starring |
Gene Hackman Morgan Freeman Thomas Jane Miguel Angel Suarez Nydia Caro Monica Bellucci |
| Music by | BT |
| Cinematography | Peter Levy |
| Edited by | John Smith |
| Distributed by | Lions Gate |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 110 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $25 million |
| Box office | $260,562 (North America) |
Under Suspicion is a 2000 American thriller film directed by Stephen Hopkins. It stars Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Monica Bellucci and Thomas Jane. The film is based on the 1981 French film Garde à vue and the 1970s British novel Brainwash, written by John Wainwright. It was screened out of competition at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.[1]
Plot summary
Henry Hearst (Gene Hackman) is about to give the main speech in an exclusive party in Puerto Rico. He is called to the police station to be questioned about his finding of a raped and murdered young girl the day before. Victor Benezet (Morgan Freeman), and the younger Detective Felix Owens (Thomas Jane) question him. Hearst changes his stories several times: he was jogging with a neighbour's dog, he found her, the dog found her, he was jogging without the dog, so the police think he has done it, Benezet is pressured by his boss (Miguel Ángel Suárez) to free Hearst so that he can give his speech. However, as there are no conclusive proofs, Benezet has to let him go.
At the party, a crowd is gossiping, and Chantal Hearst (Monica Bellucci), Henry's wife, has to keep her face about water. She will be questioned later, after her husband gives his speech without his wig, to confirm why she and her husband sleep in separate rooms. Little by little, the story each of them tells changes.
Hearst first blames Chantal for being jealous. Then, it's discovered he likes cheap very young prostitutes. Hearst says that Chantal and artist Paco Rodriguez (Luis Caballero) are lovers. He's the husband of Chantal's sister María (Jacqueline Duprey). Chantal says that she saw Hearst with her niece Camille (Isabel Algaze) giving her presents and trying to seduce her. Also, she tells that once she saw her husband washing his blood-stained clothes at night.
Pressure over Henry increases. Finally, the legal owner of the mansion where they live (it was Henry's present), signs a permission to let the police look for more clear proofs. At the dark room, they find the photos of the two murdered girls and many previous snapshots of them. Henry says that it must be Chantal's trap. He doesn't divorce her because she would be entitled to one half of everything and the mansion.
Ultimately, he breaks under the pressure and confesses to the crimes; just as the detectives are notified that the real killer has been arrested "caught in the act." Benezet and Owens then free Henry, But Henry never forgives Chantal for trying to frame him.
Cast
- Gene Hackman as Henry Hearst
- Morgan Freeman as Captain Victor Benezet
- Thomas Jane as Detective Felix Owens
- Monica Bellucci as Chantal Hearst
- Nydia Caro as Isabella
- Miguel Ángel Suárez as Superintendent
- Pablo Cunqueiro as Detective Castillo
- Isabel Algaze as Camille Rodriguez
- Jacqueline Duprey as Maria Rodriguez
- Luis Caballero as Paco Rodriguez
- Patricia Beato as Darlita
- Sahyly Yamile as Reina
- Hector Travieso as Peter
- Marisol Calero as Sergeant Arias
- Vanessa Shenk as Sue Ellen Huddy
- Noel Oscar Alicea Colon as a man in white at the carnaval
Reception
Based on 44 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of critics gave Under Suspicion a positive review, with an average rating of 5.3/10.[2]
The film was given limited release to only 19 theaters in North America grossing a total of $260,562 during its theatrical run.[3] The film was also given limited release internationally grossing $752,783 in Mexico, $17,222 in Taiwan, and $277,675 in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta.[4]
The film was nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture.
References
- ↑ "Festival de Cannes: Under Suspicion". festival-cannes.com. Retrieved October 17, 2009.
- ↑ "Under Suspicion (2000)". Rotten Tomatoes. Flixster. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
- ↑ "Under Suspicion (2000)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
- ↑ "Under Suspicion (2000): Foreign". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved December 9, 2010.
External links
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