Movie Review - Murder By Numbers

2002 American psychological thriller film loosely based on the Leopold and Loeb case of May 1924, at the time it was called "the crime of the century." 

Nathan Leopold Jr. and Richard Loeb (aged 19 and 18 respectively) were considered quite intelligent at very young ages. Reportedly they kidnapped and murdered  a 14 year-old child to demonstrate their superior towering intellect, believing that enabled and "entitled" them to carry out a "perfect crime" without consequences.

What it's about:

"Two gifted high school students [Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt] execute a perfect murder - then become engaged in an intellectual contest with a seasoned homicide detective [Sandra Bullock]."

 

Taglines:

• Justice will be served
• Let The Mind Games Begin
• The only flaw in their plan was her
• She was the only flaw in their plan

Rated R  1 hour 55 minutes

Rated R for violence, language, a sex scene and brief drug use.

Cast:

• Sandra Bullock as Detective Cassie Mayweather
• Ben Chaplin as Detective Sam Kennedy
• Ryan Gosling as Richard Haywood
• Michael Pitt as Justin Pendleton
• Agnes Bruckner as Lisa Mills
• Chris Penn as Ray
• R.D. Call as Captain Rod Cody

• Writer: Tony Gayton
• Director: Barbet Schroeder 

Rotten Tomatoes (37) IMDB (6.2 of 10) and reviews:

"Great movie! Surprised by such low scores here. It is an entertaining watch and a great plot. As a side note, early 2000's movies are just peak filmmaking. Sure it is somewhat predictable with two teens trying to get away with murder, but is still unique compared to what is released nowadays! Great cast and excellent acting." Jovana M--Rotten Tomatoes

"Murder by Numbers is an easy-to-watch but highly predictable thriller. It moves along smoothly and stays competent throughout, yet it plays things far too safe, placing every twist exactly where you expect it... Sandra Bullock is the clear highlight, stepping away from her usual warmth to portray a more guarded and weary character, often elevating scenes that would otherwise feel flat." Marco L--Rotten Tomatoes

Noteworthy awards or rankings:

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards

2003 Nominee CFCA Award: Most Promising Performer

Ryan Gosling

Young Artist Awards

2003 Nominee Young Artist Award

Best Performance in a Feature Film: Supporting Young Actress

Agnes Bruckner

Trivia (from IMDB):

• This is the fourth Hollywood film adaptation of the infamous 1924 Leopold-Loeb murder case. The first was Alfred Hitchcock's Rope (1948), the second Richard Fleischer's Compulsion (1959) and the third Tom Kalin's Swoon (1992).

• The title refers to the song "Murder by Numbers," written by Sting and Andy Summers and performed by The Police, about planning the perfect murder. The original filming title was "Foolproof".

• Ryan Gosling threw up as he filmed the murdering scenes.

• Ryan Gosling was in a relationship with Sandra Bullock, having met on the set (May 2002-July 2003).

• The old lodge on the bluff was constructed especially for the movie and was torn down after filming was completed. The interior scenes were shot on a set.

• Richard's car is a Mustang, which is of the same general model type as the car driven by Steve McQueen in Bullitt (1968). Although this is not a 1968 GT 390 Fastback like in Bullitt, Ryan Gosling suggested that the car be used, as he is a fan of McQueen.

• Justin (Michael Pitt) is quoting Arthur Rimbaud and reading Rimbaud's famous poem "The Drunken Boat" in one scene. At the beginning he is lecturing philosophy inspired by Friedrich Nietzsche.

My Thoughts:

While this is a police procedural, it is foremost a cat and mouse format.  As the viewer you know what the two killers are doing and their belief in their intellectual superiority and you follow the detectives zero in on them and pull every loose thread in their lies. 

I think Hitchcock must have influenced this film because the suspense grows as the investigation focuses on the two youth. A young Ryan Gosling, Michael Pitt, plus Sandra Bullock give stand out performances IMHO. In fact, most of the creepy and scary tension comes from Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt in their portrayal of smart teens who lack any conscience or empathy.

A subplot is homicide detective Cassie Mayweather's personal life as she works the case. She isn't perfect as a person, but she is definitely a good detective. This is a great departure from Bullock's usual roles showing her ability to handle a meatier role with depth and nuance. I must say that this young Ryan Gosling demonstrated early on that he is more than capable of serious roles.

Movie critics were hard on the film claiming it is formulaic storytelling that follows "typical crime thriller conventions without anything new and innovative to add to the genre." Many people prefer going into a movie knowing that it will follow a tried and true format without the often disturbing "innovations." So it depends on what you're looking for in a movie.

For me, this was a solid police procedural with good suspense and really good acting. The formulaic conventions of the genre hit just right for me and I found it suspenseful and enjoyable. I also felt it was memorable despite what the critics said at the time. 

Give it a try and decide for yourself, or re-watch. Either way share your thoughts here and lets discuss.

Please share in the comments your thoughts on this movie. I would love to hear from you.

Movie Trailer:

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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 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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