COPYCAT
US, 1995, 123 minutes, Colour.
Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney, William Mc Namara, Harry Connick Jr, J.E. Freeman, Will Patton, John Rothman.
Directed by Jon Amiel.
An engrossing thriller about a worrying phenomenon, the serial killer. Sigourney Weaver is a psychiatrist whose testimony has put away a vicious killer (played by, of all people, Harry Connick Jr). After a breakdown, she is asked by the San Francisco police to assist in tracking down and understanding a new killer - one who imitates the well-known serial killers of recent American history. This is a tricky subject and one that could be gross and exploitative. But Copycat is well-written and takes a more serious look at issues even while it is using the conventions of the police investigation to makes the audience tense. The investigating detective is played very well by Holly Hunter and she combines with Sigourney Weaver to make this a strong film about strong women. Top investigation thriller.
1.A strong film? A women’s film? The reality of serial killers? Police and detection work? A satisfying combination of these themes?
2.American cities, apartments, police precincts? Homes, clubs, the streets? An authentic feel? The importance of the interiors, especially in Helen Hudson’s apartment and the way they were used? The institutions and their corridors? The restroom sequences? The musical score and its atmosphere?
3.The title, the reality of Peter Foley and his murders, his attending Helen Hudson’s lectures, his own needs (and the impact of his mother and looking after her)? His decision to follow through and imitate the variety of American serial killers? The culmination in copying the attempted killing of Helen Hudson?
4.The introductory lecture, Helen, strong personality? Her work in convicting Daryll Lee Cullum? Her momentarily thinking he was in the audience? (The fact that Peter Foley could be glimpsed here and at the police precinct?) The attack in the restroom, Cullum and his vengeance, hanging her? Killing the police? Her breakdown, being confined to her house? Andy and his friend looking after her?
5.The introduction to the police? To M.J., to Reuben? Their working together? The murders, the lieutenant and his leaving them in charge? The details of their police work, going to the apartment, questioning the police, noticing the missing evidence of the stocking, discussing with the various experts? The discussion with the lieutenant? The intrusive media? Their continued working together? A good team? The personal relationship? The background of Nicoletti, his work in the precinct, with each of them, the past relationship with M.J?
6.Helen Hudson, at home, studying the information, drawing conclusions? The background of her expertise, psychology? The phone calls, thinking she was a crank – and the previous sequence of the interview with the man who would confess to all the murders? Their decision to go to visit her? Her ambiguous reaction? The lieutenant and his not wanting her involved?
7.The continued murders? The introduction to Peter Foley halfway through? At home, his mother, going to the clubs, his skill with the Internet, sending the videos to Helen? The threats and the murders? Helen and her explanation to M.J. and Reuben about his psychology? Her device during the lecture to get all the men standing up and whittling down the niche group for serial killers? White males between twenty and thirty-five? Her reactions, her fears? The intrusion into her house? Eventually seeing Foley – but his leaving when the police arrived? His being at the club, the murder of the man? His becoming more daring? The link with Daryll Lee Cullum and the information from him? his being a disciple of Cullum – but not following Cullum’s orders?
8.Daryll Lee Cullum, the background of his killings, the trial, laughing at Helen, threatening her, the attempted murder? His being in prison? The phone call, sending his book? The information about Peter Foley? The finale and his image, his getting more disciples and training them?
9.Helen, her anticipating the details of the killings? Her computer? Identifying the patterns? The importance of the woman killed in the car, the bullet, the music playing, the service station, the phone booth with the note? The note and its challenging Helen?
10.M.J., her work, work with the lieutenant, defying his orders and going to Helen? The relationship with Reuben, easygoing?
11.The siege in the precinct, the man pulling the gun on Reuben, M.J. and her skill in shooting the assailant’s shoulder, Reuben’s death? The effect on Helen, the bond that he had with Helen? Nicoletti and his regrets?
12.the build-up to the finale, Foley and his intrusion into Helen’s apartment, M.J. pursuing? His taking Helen back to the scene of Cullum’s attempted killing? Recreating the detail of the scenes? Taunting Helen, her reaction to him, indicating that she understood him? his pretending to be a policeman, on the floor, tricking M.J. and shooting her? Helen’s stabbing him, the escape, the final confrontation, M.J. shooting? Foley’s death? Helen safe?
13.The ambiguity of the ending – whether M.J. would live or not?
14.A satisfying police thriller? Detection? Psychological background? Serial killers and their motivations? A 20th century phenomenon?
