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Julia Roberts and Mel Gibson, two of my most favorite actors,
star in this thrilling new film about paranoia, theories,
and twisted minds.
Gibson plays Jerry Fletcher, a crazed cab driver who has a
theory about darn near everything. Convinced that everyone
is out to get him, he becomes so paranoid that he not only
locks his refrigerator but locks cans of food (perishable
juices, coffee, etc.) as well. Additionally, he has about
eight deadbolts on his door (well, O.K. that's not so strange
in New York City) and props a bottle up between locks so he'll
hear it if someone tries to break in. Oh, and he has a sick
fascination - well, it's more like an obsession - with beautiful
Alice Sutton, (Julia Roberts) who works at the Los Angeles
justice department.
Fairly early in the movie, he is kidnapped and threatened
by madmen who want to know who he told his theories to - apparently,
one of them was true. He just doesn't know which one. Although
he manages to get away, he'll need help to survive, and he
begs Alice's help in outwitting the people after him. At first,
Alice really doesn't take him seriously - she believes he's
just a crazy, demented guy who belongs in a mental hospital.
(Frequently, he checks the sky overhead for black helicopters.)
Then, when they are attacked at his apartment, she starts
believing him - a little.
This movie has a great element of suspense. The characters
reveal just enough to keep your interest and the movie moves
constantly. Gibson, with his nervous eye movements, furtive
body language, and constant nervousness does an excellent
job of being a guy with a screwed-up psyche. You know Fletcher
is running scared, although you are not always sure why. And
Roberts is a natural sidekick for poor Jerry Fletcher.
My rating : 4 stars
Rating : R
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