UNDER SUSPICION
US/France, 2000, 115 minutes, Colour.
Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Monica Bellucci, Thomas Jane.
Directed by Stephen Hopkins.
Under Suspicion is a psychological thriller, a two-hander, often more like a stage drama brought to the screen than a fully developed film. Gene Hackman is very good as the arrogant banker under suspicion (from the police and from the audience) who breaks down and finally confesses, falsely, to accusations of rape and murder. Morgan Freeman is also very good as the police interrogator, a friend of Hackman's, but conscientiously trying to do his duty.
The film was based on the French film ... written by Claude Miller. It is set in Puerto Rico, which gives it an exotic, semi-American background, with a touch of the atmosphere of Europe.
The psychological interplay between the two actors is very strong and the film highlights selective memory, brainwashing and pressure which are used as an abuse of justice.
1.An American film? The screenplay an adaptation of a French screenplay? The American film absorbing the intellectualism and the discussions of the French film?
2.The Puerto Rico settings, the carnival atmosphere? The exterior sequences? The action generally confined indoors? The dinner, the police cells?
3.The roles of the flashback, their insertion? Henry and his activities? Victor Benezet and his role? Henry’s character, his relationship with his wife, his business deals?
4.The structure, the opening with Harry, the telephone call, the interview and the flashbacks, the dinner, ultimately the confession?
5.The interactions between Benizet and Henry? Interrogations, psychological pressure, the touch of brainwashing? The end?
6.An exploration of motivations, psychological motivations, the role of power and the exercise of power, the role of truth, suspicion, envy, one man wanting to expose another, issues of loneliness, the issues of sex, violence, lies?
7.The background of paedophilia, the 90s? The voyeuristic attitude of the film, inviting the audience to watch?
8.Gene Hackman’s presence and performance as Henry? His speech? His wife, the story – Camille? The dinner, the visit, Felix Owens and his hostility? The lawyer? His wealth, status, as a US citizen? The sparring, the verbal antagonism, the formalities of the interrogation? The flashbacks: the dog, jogging, his finding the body? His son-in-law, the prostitutes, Camille? His being caught out? Going to dinner, his speech? The fight with Owens, tearing his suit? The return, the confrontation with his wife? The interrogation, the breakdown, the confession and the end?
9.Morgan Freeman and his presence and performance as Benizet? His job, his friendships, suspicions? The nature of the investigation, the interrogations? How personal? The nature of his process? His boss, freedom, the relationship with Owens and his investigation? Unravelling, the lies? Henry’s wife, the end and the truth?
10.Chantal, young, family, jealousy of Camille, the sexual relationship with Henry, the questions, the searching of the house, the photos? Her spitting at the mirror? What was she left with at the end?
11.Felix Owens, young, violent, sarcastic? The fight, his interactions with Benizet? The search?
12.The background of the family?
13.The girls, the prostitutes?
14.The evidence, the interrogations, the brainwashing? A portrait of psychological warfare? Guilt, confession, justice and vindication?
