Director: Roger Donaldson
Writer: Robert Garland (Screenplay) Kenneth Fearing (Novel ‘The Big Clock’)
Starring: Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman, Sean Young, Will Patton, Howard Duff, George Dzundza, Jason Bernard, Iman, Fred Dalton Thompson, Leon Russom
Plot: Tom Farrell (Costner) is a navy officer who gets posted at the Pentagon and is to report to the secretary of defence David Brice (Hackman). He starts an affair with Susan Atwell (Young) not knowing that she is Brice’s mistress. When Susan is found dead, Tom is assigned to the case of finding the killer who is believed to be a KGB mole. Tom could soon become a suspect when a Polaroid negative of him was found at Susan’s place. He now has only a few hours to find the killer before the computer regenerates the photo.
Verdict: Suspense Thriller
Story: What starts out as a simple investigation into a murder, that we know who did it gets turned into an attempted cover up leaning more into a frame. We know who committed we know who saw but the eye witness has to work the crime to prove the other man was guilty. Being trapped in the Pentagon working the case without being a loud to leave keeps everything tightly together. This is unusual as we know everything about the crime but we have to watch as each side figures out how to expose or create a truth. Add in a twist ending that makes things seem even tenser you get yourself a very good thriller. (8/10)
Actor Reviews
Kevin Costner: Tom the navy commander who gets the promotion to help work a connection case between the senator and secretary of defence. He ends up falling in love with the secretary of defence’s mistress and has to prove he murdered her when they are all after the other man, him. Good performance from Costner. (8/10)
Gene Hackman: David the secretary of defence who kills his mistress but instead of going to the police he is talked into covering it up and framing it on her new lover. Good performance that doesn’t take away anything from the more villainous role involved. (8/10)
Sean Young: Susan the victim who is quite happily a mistress but falls in love with a complete stranger. Good performance for a totally bitch woman performance. (7/10)
Will Patton: Scott the man behind the cover up, thinks he is on top of everything and quite willing just to sweep it all under the carpet to keep his man in power. Good performance from Will showing a political villain. (8/10)
Director Review: Roger Donaldson – Good direction to create a tense thriller throughout. (8/10)
Action: A couple of foot races is about as far as you get for action but they are good for the time it was made. (6/10)
Crime: The crime solving is not up to us but it more about trying to get their own truths out. (9/10)
Thriller: Thrilling throughout keeps you are the edge of the seat. (9/10)
Settings: Being trapped in the Pentagon is good setting to create the thrilling story. (9/10)
Suggestion: This is one to give a go, I think the fans of the thriller genre will enjoy but it may be a bit slow starting for the more casual viewer. (Give It A Go)
Best Part: The final foot chase through the pentagon.
Worst Part: Bit slow starting up.
Believability: Cover ups happen all the time and this could very much be a true one. (8/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $35,509,515
Budget: $15 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 54 Minutes
Tagline: A tightly would and engrossing thriller!
Overall: Well Created Thriller
Rating 
