A Slight Case of Murder (1999)
In the midst of a spat, film critic Terry Thorpe accidentally kills his lover. Though Thorpe covers his tracks, he raises the suspicions of a private investigator, who then tries to blackmail him. Thorpe also falls under the watchful eye of Detective Fred Stapelli, a cop who is intent on becoming a screenwriter. Before long, Thorpe's girlfriend, Kit, and Stapelli's wife, Patricia, are roped into the case.
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A Masterpiece!
The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties. It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
CAUTION -- CONTAINS SPOILERS --"A Slight Case of Murder" stars William H. Macy in a role not that different from the car salesman he plays in "Fargo." Here he is a professional movie critic, and often his character speaks at the audience, directly into the camera. Although he has a nice, attractive and devoted girlfriend, he is weak. He is having an affair with a co-worker when she accidentally slips and dies while he is with her. Afraid, he slips away in the night, but is photographed by a PI (James Cromwell, who was the farmer in "Babe") hired by the jealous, separated husband. The PI attempts to blackmail him, and Macy whacks him, eventually disposing of the body parts in a lake over the side of his girlfriend's sailboat while she is fast asleep after he drugs her wine.Meanwhile the detective (Adam Arkin, "Adam" on Northern Exposure) befriends Macy, who ends up having an affair with the detective's wife. At the conclusion, as it appears that Macy will get away with his various transgressions, and is all set to have a happy life with his girlfriend, he comes home and his apartment is overrun with police. The detective has found out about the affair with his wife, decides to plant evidence (back door key, blood on shoes) to frame Macy in retaliation for seducing his wife, not for a second thinking he is really guilty.As the movie ends, and Macy is being taken away in a cop car, he says, "If you ever decide to commit murder -- and I don't recommend that you do -- don't complicate matters by getting involved with the detective's wife." Macy co-wrote the screenplay, and plays the main character very well. For good entertainment, and a moderate amount of suspense, I rate it "7" of 10.
Co-scripted by William H. Macy from, arguably, Donald E. Westlake's best and hardest to find novel, "A Travesty". *Very* faithful to the story, the movie stars Macy as a hapless man who gets in way too far over his head after attempting to cover up an accidental death. Costars Adam Arkin and James Cromwell in good supporting roles. The strength of the movie is in the intricate twist-after-twist storyline and in the acting, particularly by Macy who routinely and delightfully breaks through the 4th wall here and gets away with it every time. A good storyline with much dark humor, this one engaged me enough that I've watched it three times in the week since it came out. Prepare to shelve your critical faculties and emit a loud, bipartisan "wheeeeee!".
This was a riveting film, one that really drew me in. I'm a big fan of William H. Macy, and he puts in a wonderful performance. His great likeability, coupled with the way his character breaks the fourth wall, really gave me a sense of complicity in his actions. I found myself waiting tensely for the whole house of cards to come collapsing down around him (and by extension myself, as his confidante and silent witness). It took several minutes for me to relax once the film had ended, I was so wrapped up in it. Good performances all around, too, not just with Macy. Arkin was quite good, as was Cromwell (he was surprisingly fierce). In short, I highly recommend this film to any fans of Macy and/or the murder mystery. But you may want to prepare to feel a little guilty.
Turner and friends are closing in on HBO for the top spot among made-for-TV movie producers. This is a nicely paced, contemplative thriller of sorts. William Macy is stellar, as always, and Adam Arkin offers one of his better performances. A bit more lively than classic Hitchcock but not as in-your-face as typical movies of its type, A Slight Case of Murder eases you in and never lets go. (Note: I saw a preview copy, which means I didn't have to wait through commercials. Those interruptions may hurt the pacing, but you know this will be available on video sometime