Mystery Movie Review - Twisted

This 2004 film is a crime drama, mystery, noir thriller, or psychological thriller.  I saw this years ago and still remember it, so I wanted to share it with you.

What it's about:

Recently promoted and transferred to the homicide division, Inspector Jessica Shepard feels pressure to prove herself. She is assigned to hunt down a serial killer who is murdering the men she recently dated. Then she starts blacking out on the night of each murder, and she becomes the prime suspect. She needs to find who and catch the killer fast.

Taglines:

-- Every murder has a mark.

-- An elusive killer. A brilliant detective. Maybe one and the same?

Cast:

-- Ashley Judd as Jessica Shepard

-- Samuel L. Jackson as John Mills

-- Andy Garcia as Mike Delmarco

-- David Strathairn as Dr. Melvin Frank

-- Russell Wong as Lieutenant Tong

-- Mark Pellegrino as Jimmy Schmidt

-- Titus Welliver as Dale Becker

-- Director: Philip Kaufman

-- Writer: Sarah Thorp

Rated R  1 hour 37 minutes

violence, language, and slight sexuality.

Rotten Tomatoes and critics reviews:

-- Critics hated this movie and trashed it vehemently. They pretty much hated everything about it from the script to the actors saying "Numbingly predictable, inept, and boring".  Such critical condemnation is probably why it didn't do well at the box office.  Audiences who did watch it were split between thinking it was an average and okay-to-good thriller to just simply thinking it was dull and not worth the time.

     

-- "I agree, that this movie is a good thriller movie to be watched. I was entertained by this movie, and I kinda guessed wrongly in the beginning." IMDB

     

-- "My expectations were fulfilled. I mean I knew that this one was not a top thriller but at least it was better than the last ones I s[aw]. I spent an entertaining evening with my wife who didn't fall asleep this time. This movie kept your attention from beginning and during all the time you are asking who the real murder is. The performance of Ashley Judd in her psycho role was very good and for all fans of her this is a must see. Yeah, it's a good psycho-thriller with a surprising end. I am wondering why so many critics are negative here. There are no doubt more movies who deserved less good votes than Twisted." -IMDB

     

-- "If pressed, I would say that this film is a noir thriller, though it's so much more. There's a great love story here too (actually there are many kinds of love stories in the film and one really twisted one-thus the title). The direction, the camera-work and acting are all great." IMDB

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

Hollywood Film Awards

2004 Winner-Hollywood Film Award

Make-Up of the Year: Ve Neill

Trivia (from IMDB):

-- "Jessica Shepard's promotion from Officer to Inspector isn't as big a jump as it sounds. The S.F.P.D., unlike nearly all other municipal police departments, does not have a traditional Detective rank. The Inspector rank is simply the next rank above Officer, and an Inspector's responsibilities are exactly like those of a Detective in most other police departments."

-- "Internationally, the movie was renamed through multiple titles. Including "Blackout," "Stalked," "I Can't Believe It's You," "Murderous Instincts," "Unexpected Twist," and "An Eclipse." Additionally, "Blackout" was the film's original title during production."

-- "Filming San Francisco practically earned co-star credit, so director Philip Kaufman fought to shoot the movie in the city he knew so well. Well-known San Francisco bars and restaurants in the film include Tosca Café and Vesuvio, both on Columbus Avenue in the North Beach district, as well as Red's Java House, at Pier 30 on the waterfront. Several scenes were also filmed at the Palace of Fine Arts, with its unmistakable rotunda and lagoon."

-- "According to Philip Kaufman, it was Ashley Judd's idea to cut her hair short for the movie because she believed that's the way a cop would wear it."

-- "The cast includes three Oscar nominees: Andy Garcia, Samuel L. Jackson, and David Strathairn."

-- "Jessica Shepard's final confrontation with the villain was filmed at the San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. The ship behind her is the Balclutha, built in 1886."

My Thoughts:

I first saw this movie many years ago, but it stuck with me.  Which, I feel makes this movie deserving of inclusion in my movie reviews.  I re-watched it to have it fresh in my mind for the review. Many movies that were praised by critics I couldn't remember much, if anything, but this one really got to me.  

As always, Ashley Judd had me invested in her story and afraid for her. Andy Garcia gave a wonderful supporting character that you weren't sure of until the end and Samuel L. Jackson played a bit more subdued and nuanced character than his usual. 

This had many noir elements that gave the film a gritty vibe. This is a journey as Judd gives us a police officer who begins to loose time and as she becomes the only suspect she looses faith in herself and wonders if she was the killer during her black outs.

The climax-killer reveal is a twist followed by a cat-and-mouse foot-chase at a dock/marina with fog and plenty of noir atmosphere that I thought was effective for ramping up the suspense.

Overall I really like this film and believe it's underrated.  Give it a try and please let me know your thoughts on the movie in the comments.

Movie Trailer:

     

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