Conspiracy Theory (1997)
director: richard donner
cast: mel gibson, julia roberts, patrick stewart, cylk cozart, stephen kahan, terry alexander
Mel
Gibson plays a posterboy for paranoid maniacs everywhere. Is he crazy or is
he onto something? He's crazy and onto something!!! This is one of those films
that poses a lot of interesting questions. The problem is when the answers
get blurted out, they're real groaners. Like "Contact",
this type of story is better served by not providing too many pat answers.
Real tension can be achieved by simply not giving the audience the comfort
of knowing too much. The story should've derived its strength from the fact
that a character with little credibility, and an unbelievable but compelling
message, is demanding our attention.
"Theory" is part "Jacob's Ladder" and part "Marathon Man" but not in either classics' league. Mel Gibson is a scruffy taxi driver (guilty!) who loudly voices bizarre opinions about government conspiracy which he puts out in a newletter from his fortress-like apartment (hm, he reminds me of someone I know. This is kind of like a parrot looking in a mirror and thinking, "Who is that guy!?!"). Gibson stalks a young DA, Julia Roberts, who's father was mysteriously murdered a few years back. Gibson and Roberts form an uneasy bond as parts of Gibson's crazy theories seem to be based in fact. Patrick Stewart puts in a fun performance as a Christian Zell-like ("Marathon Man" -- "Is it safe?") government creep.
"Theory" is definitely worth a video/DVD rental as there are some classic scenes like "the wheel chair chase" and Roberts' discovery of Gibson's "shrine" dedicated to her in a secret room in his apartment (Note to self: build secret room and shrine to Roberts. Incorporate lots of photos and candles.). But there are also some painfully awful moments in "Theory", like the scene where Robert's hears imprisoned Gibson's voice through an air duct at a busy NY hospital. She just happened to be walking by. What are the odds!?! Still, it's a pretty good flick for about an hour and half before it begins to stink to high hell. -- Tom Graney
$6.75
© 1997 Hollywood Outsider™