Writer: Brian De Palma(Screenplay)
Starring: John Lithgow, Lolita Davidovich, Steven Bauer, Frances Sternhagen, Gregg Henry, Tom Bower
Plot: Jenny Nix (Davidovich), wife of eminent child psychologist Carter Nix (Lithgow), becomes increasingly concerned about her husband’s seemingly obsessive concern over the upbringing of their daughter. Her own adulterous affair with an old flame, however, causes her to neglect her motherly duties until a spate of local kidnappings forces her to accept the possibility that he may be trying to recreate the twisted mind control experiments of his discredited psychologist father.
Verdict: A smart psychological thriller
Story: We learn very fast about different mind sets of John Lithgow’s characters with a full range that we have to work out which ones are real and which is just part of his mind. We also deal with the idea a loving wife will cheat on her husband with an old flame. This only leads to his mind cracking more leading to his decisions that will villainies him. We are left guessing what the true plan is who the real man is and will he get away with it? (9/10)
Actor Review: John Lithgow – Playing five personalities with a full range we follow him through all of the problems. This is a brilliant performance showing how easily John can flick between multiply personalities without breaking from a performance. Star Performance Award, Scariest Character Award (10/10)
Actor Review: Lolita Davidovich – Jenny the loving wife that is quite willing to cheat on him but questions what he is up too. Good performance with some real fight in. (8/10)
Director Review: Brian De Palma – Great suspense build throughout from a true master of the genre. (9/10)
Crime: With all the crimes being committed the lack of focus on the police investigation takes away from some of the crime side. (8/10)
Thriller: As we just don’t know which personality we are watching it makes for great viewing for the thriller side of things. (9/10)
Believability: The problems the main character goes through are real but how far he goes might not be. (2/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Settings: The settings are good but offer little to really expand the story. (7/10)
Suggestion: I think all thriller fans will enjoy this, but I feel that many people will think it has aged. I think it should be watched but it should at least be tried by all. (Try It)
Best Part: Cain Character.
Worst Part: Jenny is very unlikable.
Oscar Chances: No
Chances of Sequel: No
Similar Too: Identity
Overall: Great thriller to watch in the right mind
Rating