run time: 107 mins
rated: 14A
considered: Crime, Drama, Thriller
starring: Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, Viggo Mortensen
movie summary: A remake of the Alfred Hitchcock classic Dial M for Murder. (www.imdb.com)
my thoughts: Michael Douglas plays Steven Taylor, a sly stock market rich guy who is losing his fortune, so plans to kill his equally wealthy wife Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow). Steven has an ace up his sleeve when he hires Emily’s lover David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen) to commit the murder. The pair meet up and plan the “perfect murder” that makes it look like a random robbery instead of cold-blooded murder. Everything falls apart on the night of the murder, Emily survives, while killing the intruder, which wasn’t David. Steven is not happy about the way things unfold, and sets out to tie up any loose ends. Emily meanwhile tries to figure out why she was a target, only to find out who was really behind the whole thing.
A Perfect Murder has the right amount of cleverness and edge to keep you entertained, while reminding us that money and infidelity seem to always be the best reason to commit the perfect crime!
my star rating: 6 out 10
Nice post. I think this film deserves more than it eventually got, especially from critics. But then, people would definitely enjoy it more if they haven’t already seen Hitchcock’s ‘Dial M for Murder’.
Thanks for the comment! I have never seen Dial M for Murder, will have to add it to my list.