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
Wealthy tax attorney Henry Hearst (Hackman) is about to give a speech at an exclusive New Year's Eve party in Puerto Rico. He is called to the police station to be questioned about the body he found the day before - that of a young girl who had been raped and murdered. Captain Victor Benezet (Freeman) and Detective Felix Owens (Jane) question him about inconsistencies in his story. Hearst quickly realizes that they think he committed the murder, as well as that of another young girl whose body was found days earlier. Benezet is under pressure from his boss (Miguel Ángel Suárez) to free Hearst so that he can give his speech. As there is no conclusive proof, Benezet has to let him go.
At the party, a crowd is gossiping and Chantal (Bellucci), Henry's much younger wife, has to keep her face emotionless. She is questioned later to confirm why she and her husband sleep in separate rooms. Little by little, the story that each of them tells changes.
Hearst first blames Chantal for being jealous. Then, it is discovered he likes cheap, very young prostitutes and visits pornography websites featuring women dressed as schoolgirls. Hearst says that Chantal and her brother-in-law, artist Paco Rodriguez (Luis Caballero), are lovers. Chantal says that she saw Hearst with her 13-year-old 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. Hearst denies molesting Camille, but admits that he prefers much younger women and does not draw the line at teenagers.
Chantal, the legal owner of the mansion where they live, signs a permit to let the police look for more clear proof. In the dark room, they find photographs of the two murdered girls. Henry says that Chantal must be trying to frame him. He does not divorce her because she would be entitled to one half of everything and the mansion.
Ultimately, he breaks under the pressure and makes a false confession to the crimes; just as the detectives are notified that the real killer has been arrested after being "caught in the act." Benezet and Owens then free Hearst, but he 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.