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A Perfect Murder Customer Reviews (13 - 15 of 26 Reviews)

A weak remake
Among Alfred Hitchcock movies, Dial M for Murder is considered a good minor work, perhaps most notable for it being originally shot in 3-D. A Perfect Murder, a re-make of this film, shows that even minor Hitchcock is often better than many things made today.

As in the original, the premise remains the same: a man being cheated on by his wife arranges her "perfect murder" only to have it go wrong. There are elements that are definitely different, however, principally dealing with the lover being the recruited killer in this case. This leads to some twists that are unique to this version.

The fundamental flaws are in the characters. One of the big strengths in the original was Ray Milland as the cuckolded husband. Homicidal tendencies aside, he is a much more interesting character than his wife's lover. Michael Douglas, on the other hand, is less compelling (and less pleasant) in his parallel role. Viggo Mortensen is especially weak, half-mumbling through his role and with no real charms that would suggest why Gwyneth Paltrow would have an affair with him. No character is very sympathetic and all the actors have done better elsewhere.

The direction by Andrew Davis is likewise problematic, with all the subtlety of a wrecking ball. Rather than clever foreshadowing, we are hit over the head with plot elements to make sure we understand that they will be significant. For example, there is an unusual amount of focus on a meat thermometer that rather bluntly points out that this mundane object will have importance later. Davis is successful at least in showing he is different than Hitchcock; by the end of this movie, I definitely knew he was no Hitchcock. For a better movie, stick with the original.

What lies beneath the surface
of a rich, opulent high society's celebrated couple isn't what it seems to be. Gwyneth Paltrow's character wants out of the loveless, controlling marriage. She is currently in love with an artist, or shall I say, a con artist who is out to milk unsuspecting rich women of their savings and assets while her husband is a very controlling man who watches his wife's every move. Her husband suspects that his wife was having an affair with the artist. He uses that as an excuse to murder her so he can get his hands on her $100 million dollar fortune. He made a deal with her boyfriend to kill his wife for $500,000. That failed, for his wife foiled her killer by killing the suspect that her boyfriend knew in prison and that he sent instead of himself.

Things unfolded when her husband is in trouble with the Securities and Exchange commision for fraud and financial double-dealing.Also, he's broke after consuming his monies in material consumption and investing in worthless financial schemes. The detective at the crime scene also suspects her husband. When her boyfriend exposes her husband's elaborate scheme to kill his wife, husband kills her lover in the train's sleeping car, then left the scene as if nothing happened. When he and his wife seem to reconcile that night, her husband tries to kill her but was outsmarted by his wife, who shot him in the end.

Both men eye the beautiful blonde heiress who could bail them out of their financial situations. But that tought cookie outsmart the men who used her for financial gain.

Ms. Paltrow played her role as the wronged wife to a tee. Michael Douglas as the scheming, sniveling, domineering husband and Viggo Mortensen(of LOTR fame)as the con artist.

Surprising thriller
Surprising update of the classic play "Dial M for murder", which was also placed on celluloid previously by Alfred Hitchcock, twists the formula to taylor for a modern audience. Michael Douglas plays a wealthy wall street tycoon married to a beautiful trophy wife (Gwyneth Paltrow) who is heiress to her own huge fortune. When Douglas finds out that his wife has taken on a lover, he sets a plan in motion wereby her lover is to kill his wife for half a million dollars. As it seems, the lover has a penchant for petty crime involving wealthy women and dissapearing money. Slick direction by the director of "The Fugitive", a fine ensamble cast and enough twists than a switchback trail, A Perfect Murder offers a slice of perfect popcorn fodder.

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