Review of Under Suspicion

Introduction

Under Suspicion starts with local lawyer Henry Hearst (Gene Hackman) being asked to pop in to the local police station on his way to a charity fund raising evening with his lovely young wife, Chantal (Monica Bellucci) . Henry was the principal scene of crime witness to a recent murder having discovered the body of a young girl who had been raped then strangled. Police Captain Victor Benezet (Morgan Freedman) has doubts as to the authenticity of Henry’s story and is determined to get to the truth.

Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman are the type of actors from whom you come to expect sterling performances, in fact such is their past history you would probably be safe watching any movie with either of these two actors in without really knowing much else about it. Put both of them in the same movie and you should get something pretty special, well that was what I was hoping for anyway.

Video

The anamorphic transfer doesn’t impress. It’s a touch on the soft side lacking in sharpness of detail and richness of colour. It’s by no means a bad transfer however the odd instance of marking on the print along with the lack of sharpness means it really only passes as mediocre.

Audio

The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack is a different matter altogether and is put to excellent use throughout the movie. Atmospheric sounds are handled delicately but when called for the entire soundstage comes to life to shake you up and make you pay even closer attention.

Features

Nothing special on the extras front, sadly, comprising of just a trailer and some 13 minutes of interviews. Whilst being sparse the interviews are interesting enough to make you want more, which makes the lack of any more even more disappointing. A feature length commentary from Hackman and Freeman would have made this disc a bit special. A missed opportunity.

Conclusion

With two great actors it would be a crime if this movie failed to excite. Well luckily no crime has been committed here and this is well worth watching. Hackman and Freeman are of course excellent as you would expect with perfect delivery of their lines and each one trying to steal every last scene. The tension builds up nicely between these two as the film progresses to the point where the ending will undoubtedly take you by something of a surprise. Monica Bellucci is simply stunning to look at but doesn’t really have a lot to do in the movie however what small time she has on camera is used to good effect, adding just enough to the developing story.

As the story focuses firmly around the two main characters of Hearst and Benezet and a 4 hour period they spend together it is initially far more suited to a play than a major motion picture, that is were it not for some interesting techniques used in presenting certain scenes. When Hackman is recalling previous events Freeman also pops up in his memories asking the questions directly and becoming part of the flashbacks. It’s a nice approach that helps bring both main characters into a larger world and helps break down the restrictions it would have faced were it produced as a play.

It’s not all great mind you as there are occasional weak moments (mostly involving the Detective Felix Owens who is helping with the investigation) and some might say that it’s not the clearest of movies in what it’s trying to say. Well that might be so but it makes you think about many things when it’s finished which, for me, is always the sign of a great movie. Recommended.