Monica Bellucci Movie:

Editorial Review:
Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman star in this suspense-filled tale of interrogation--less of a whodunit than a didhedoit. Freeman plays Victor Benezet, a police captain investigating the murder of a child, and Hackman is Henry Hearst, a prominent lawyer and pillar of the community who also happens to be the prime suspect. Benezet and Hearst have a history together, and Benezet is torn between showing deference for an old friend and prominent community figure and ruthlessly pursuing a man he believes to be a child murderer. Director Stephen Hopkins spins multiple versions of the same events, popping details in and out as Hearst's story changes. Hopkins also uses the unusual and satisfying technique of juxtaposing the interview room with other locations, allowing Benezet to "follow" Hearst through his movements as he questions him. Under Suspicion also serves up the delicious eye candy of Puerto Rico during the St. Sebastian festival, but the real treat is getting to watch two masters like Hackman and Freeman square off. --Ali Davis

Under Suspicion [Region 2] Reviews:
Great movie
2009-10-03 - This movie was very well written with a complex plot. The parallel storyline of the wifes suspicion along with the suspicion of the authorities. And how victor has to prove himself to them both parties. I enjoyed it... although a part of me wanted the wife to be guilty... but enlightennment of the ere in her thinking was much better :)

Ahead of its time
2009-06-07 -
"Under Suspicion" is a truly remarkable film that addresses a taboo issue. The film is well head of its time, which will ensure it remains classic for years to come.

Based on John Wainwright's 1960's book "Brainwash" and the 1980's French film "Garde a Vue" or Police Custody. The book title gives you a hint of the plot which neither film title does. Whether the American movie is loyal to the French film or British book I do not know, but the European influences are readily apparent.

One can expect superb performances from Hackman and Freeman, but one should also expect that such actors can choose superlative plots. Under Suspicion is a complex plot which explains why so many do not see it. If anything it is too complex.

One of the advantages of film over print is that a film can use multiple Points of View far more readily that print.

The first point of view is that of the junior detective, ably acted by Thomas Jane. Horrified by the crime - rape and murder of two children, blinded by prejudice, the detective jumps to the gut belief a rich dirty old man must have done it. The detective reflects the mob mentality.

The second point of view is that of the senior detective (Freeman). Both detective and suspect (Hackman) are of similar age, know each other and have similar marital problem, so a battle of wills develops between them. This is common plot device used to encourage the audience to identify with the characters but in this film it detracts from and confuses the plot.

The film opens with a plot device intended to create tension. The suspect is on his way to public speaking engagement when called in for questioning. This is implausible and again detracts from the plot. The device becomes effective when the senior detective's boss puts pressure on the detective to release the suspect to fulfil the engagement.

The evidence against the suspect (Hackman) is circumstantial. However the suspect's explanation of the events is confused and self-incriminating, which serves to convince the Senior Detective of his guilt. Hence the title of the French film - Police Custody.

At one stage the plot `thickens' leading the audience to suspect the male suspect is guilty of under-age sex, but his wife is guilty of murder, driven by jealousy. This plot line is made implausible by the beauty and young age of the character playing the wife, Monica Bellucci.

The subtext of "Under Suspicion" is classically French. Many Hollywood films seek to capture the beauty of French film when seeks to get behind the headline "Lock your daughters away - Paedophile on the rampage, raping and murdering little girls." French film often deals sensitively with the cause of such issues. The problem is not Hollywood' failure to portray the issues but the audience demand for likes of Scream 1, 2 and 3.

The subplot, the theme of the film, is played out by the suspect (Hackman) and to a lesser extent by the wife (Bellucci). The subplot is brilliantly portrayed by Hackman. Whether he is guilty or not is irrelevant by the end of the film. The suspect is coerced into believing he is guilty. Hence the book title "Brainwash".

The Point of View of the wife, told more than acted, reveals the sub-plot and the theme of the film. She first met the suspect when she was twelve and he was a 30 year old adult. His hobby was photography. She delighted in the attention of his camera lens. As she grows she accepts his patronage to attend university and finding men of her own age wanting, she returns to seek him sexually. Passionately in love, they become the celebrities of their town, until one day she sees him paying the same photographic attention to her niece. Blinded by jealousy she believes his intention can only be sexual. In her jealous rage she freezes him out. His sexual deprivation, his love of photography, merely serve to provide motivation to the circumstantial evidence. If his wife, the one person he loves, can believe he is guilty, then he must be. Hence he confesses to something he had not done.

"Under Suspicion" is a gripping and frightening film. Its shows how innocent people can be made to feel guilty and be found guilty by social prejudice, ignorance and misunderstanding. More frightening is the potential sequel to the story. That a person made to feel guilty, but found not guilty, can and probably will proceed to commit the crime with impunity. Both themes have been portrayed in other books and films. I do not know of a film which portrays both themes with the subject of paedophilia. Lolita is probably the closest one can get. Under Suspicion fires a warning shot across society's bows. It warns that the more society is blinded by moral indignation, which is happening with paedophilia, the worse problem will get and innocent people will be destroyed by the prejudices of the lynch mob.

All film functions to reinforce or question society's values and attitudes. Society, even in 2009, is not yet ready for the questions raised by "Under Suspicion". Brilliantly acted, directed and edited, `Under Suspicion' is undermined by the commercial demands on contemporary cinema. But it has got to be 5* for its courage alone.


Masterful performances by all three actors
2008-06-02 - Attorney Henry Hearst (Gene Hackman) has dream life--a gorgeous trophy wife Chantal (Monica Bellucci), a mansion on paradisical San Juan Island. partnership in his firm. Then he discovers the body of a little girl and reports it to the police--as any good citizen should.

Captain Victor Benezet (Freeman) is a hard-working police captain who investigates the first death and discovers more. He calls Henry to the station on the night of a prestigious charity event for questioning along with his subordinate Detective Owens (Thomas Jane).

The problem comes when Hearst's story doesn't quite stack up. On the night of a benefit ball where Hearst is supposed to speak, Benezet calls him in for questioning.

Benezet is under a lot of pressure. Hearst is a powerful man on the island and a friend of his boss. Plus, he's the keynote speaker at the fundraiser--and the island needs the money. Hurricane Lucy has just ripped through and despite the party atmosphere, they have a cholera outbreak, open pits for sewers and the other plagues a storm leaves behind.

The questioning is rough, revealing omissions in Henry's story, plus his life isn't quite as much of a dream as we'd once believe. We see the story unfold through testimony, flashbacks, and current happenings. Henry and his wife sleep in separate bedrooms--regarding the alibis: "We don't ask those kind of questions anymore..." Henry regularly visits young prostitutes, because: "Someone opposite Chantal. A prostitute will give you a great deal for a little bit of money..." Henry has a fondness for young children--he 'raised' Chantal to be the woman of his dreams...

But--did he do the crime or didn't he? I was almost on the edge of my seat wondering through the whole film. Both Hackman and Freeman give stellar performances and the story is fascinating, but I think I could have done with about 20 minutes less film somewhere.

If you're a fan of intense, interpersonal drama, this film's one for you. You see lives laid bare under the white lights of an interrogation room. "Under Suspicion" definitely opened my eyes about police questioning.

Rebecca Kyle, May 2008


Under suspicion
2008-03-26 - Once in a while a really good movies comes along, very well writen script. If you looking for fast action, with special effect then please do not watch this movie.

This movie is for people who love actors working at their best with good writen material.

Morgan freeman and the great actor Gene Hackman, giving one the best perfomances I have seen in a very long long time.

Good...but the end
2007-06-10 - The movie was actually very promising until the end. Pedophilia was treated almost lightly and there were some unnecessary and very disturbing discussions and details thrown in which really can be very traumatizing to those who have had experience in the area or who have children.

The end was very disappointing and just kind of dropped off. The fact that the wife almost appeared to run back to him and be sorry at the end was very creepy considering the things that he admitted to and she witnessed. That blew it for me.