MALICE (1993) - Movie Review

Director: Harold Becker
Starring: Bill Pullman, Alec Badwin, Nicole Kidman, Bebe Neuwirth, Peter Gallagher, Tobin Bell, Gwyneth Paltrow, George C. Scott, Anne Bancroft
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Writer: Aaron Sorkin, Scott Frank
Runtime: 107 min
Rated: Rated R for sexuality, language and some violence
Buy This Movie: Blu-ray (Amazon), DVD (Amazon), Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

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Synopsis:

Harold Becker (The Onion Field) directed this bold, riveting and deviously entertaining thriller starring Alec Baldwin (Glengarry Glen Ross), Nicole Kidman (Eyes Wide Shut) and Bill Pullman (Lost Highway). An easy-going college deans quiet New England world has just been terribly disrupted, two coeds have been raped, a third has been killed, and the police are beginning to suspect him. At home, bills are piling up, his wife is developing severe stomach cramps and the new tenant; a devilishly handsome surgeon, is regularly ''entertaining'' nurses late into the night. Little does Andy know that all of these events are related and that he's about to be blindsided by something more daring and deadly than anything he could have ever imagined! Boasting an excellent supporting cast that includes George C. Scott (Bank Shot), Anne Bancroft (The Graduate), Gwyneth Paltrow (Se7en), Bebe Neuwirth (TV's Cheers), Peter Gallagher (Late For Dinner), Josef Sommer (Witness) and Tobin Bell (The Saw Franchise), this spine-tingling thriller was beautifully shot by the great Gordon Willis (The Godfather Trilogy).

Review:

Directed by Harold Becker ("Sea of Love") from a script by Aaron Sorkin ("A Few Good Men", "The West Wing") and Scott Frank ("Logan", "Minority Report"), "Malice" is a psychological thriller with a Hitchcockian edge and an amazing cast, but plot holes that could fit Hitchcock's entire filmography. It wasn't a big hit when it came out, receiving mixed reviews and grossing $61 million worldwide against a $20 million budget, but it did prove more popular as a video rental. This is an unusual movie for a writer like Sorkin, whose body of work includes complex scripts for films like "The Social Network" and "Moneyball", but even he admitted in an interview that this is not one of his proudest works.

The plot is convoluted and loaded with red-herrings. For example, an entire subplot is thrown in just for the sake of misleading the audience. The script is so busy throwing us off the scent, that half-way through the movie I was still confused about what the story was really about. Once the main storyline is revealed, the narrative flows smoothly towards a relatively predictable ending. It's also pretty light on suspense, but Becker keeps things moving at a brisk "twist-a-minute" pace, and the best that can be said about it is that it's not boring. The performances also vastly improve the film's entertaiment factor.

Nicole Kidman is spectacular in one of her early roles that showcased her versatility, and Baldwin is magnetic and menacing at the same time as the charming surgeon with a God complex. It's worth watching the movie just to witness his "I am God" monologue. Bill Pullman is perhaps not as spectacular, but his character does have an interesting arc, and he gets the job done well enough. The supporting cast includes solid turns from Bebe Neuwirth as a no-nonsense detective, Peter Gallagher as a slick lawyer, and George C. Scott as a mentor figure to Baldwin's character, but Anne Bancroft gets a stand-out 5-minute scene that is practically begging for an Oscar. I can't reveal her role without spoiling the plot, but believe me, it's a fantastic scene. Also, Gwyneth Paltrow and Tobin Bell have very brief appearances.

It's not a timeless must-watch movie, but it's still a lot of fun, especially if you're looking for a blast from the past. The film's craft is strong enough that I was able to forgive its manipulations and just enjoy the pulpy thrills.

SCORE: 7/10