Malice
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Movie Reviews of Malice
Movie Review: Not the Greatest Thriller, But Still Worth Your Time
Summary: 4 Stars
It was difficult for me to rate _Malice_ on a 5 star scale because it is one of my favorite "turn your brain off and have fun" movies. I think every collection, no matter how lofty, needs a few boredom-buster, no thinking required flicks in it. _Malice_ would make a good addition to that section of your collection as it has to mine.Without giving away the ending, the basic premise is this: A cute couple scrapes together enough to buy an old Victorian house. The husband, Andy (Bill Pullman), is a college dean and his wife, Tracy (Nicole Kidman), works in a daycare. The bills for renovating the home pile up and, proving that timing is everything, Andy runs into an old school buddy, Jed (Alec Baldwin). Jed is a suave, successful surgeon in need of a place to stay because he is new in town. Seeing an easy money source, Andy asks Jed to rent a room. He does and Tracy seems ill at ease with Jed there. Her abdominal cramps steadily worsen and finally she must be rushed to the hospital. Lo and behold, Jed is the surgeon who must operate on her damaged ovary. He takes both ovaries out and Tracy learns she will never be able to bear children. If that's not bad enough, she was a few weeks pregnant before the operation and the fetus aborted from the trauma of the surgery. Feeling angry that Andy consented to let Jed take both of her ovaries, Tracy leaves him and sues Jed. A multi-million dollar malpractice lawsuit is settled and the movie takes some odd turns. You learn that the unlikeliest of people are conspiring together and that someone thought to be dead is actually alive and well. True, a subplot about a serial rapist / killer is thrown in and though it may not seem to fit, it does provide a little extra element of scandal. By the film's conclusion, the loose ends are, in my opinion, tied up well enough.
In terms of judging the DVD, the sound and video quality are good. The theatrical trailer is interesting and the screen formats come in both standard and widescreen options. Subtitles are available in Spanish and French. (I think these are pretty much the basic options that come on all DVDs nowadays.) Watch for brief performances by Gwyneth Paltrow, Anne Bancroft, Peter Gallagher, and Bebe Neuwirth. And if nothing else, buy the film for Alec Baldwin's delectably sinful "God-complex" speech. His monologue alone is worth the cost!
Movie Review: See It Once For The Story, And Again For The Acting
Summary: 4 Stars
MALICE is one of those movies that you simply MUST see more than once to believe. The first time through, MALICE is a great psychological thriller, with twists and turns through a plot that contains rape, murder, life-and-death trauma, and a fight to the death...all within the first 45 minutes. The second time through, though, provides a look at all the things you might have missed the first time around...and a chance to savor an outstanding performance from perhaps the most underrated actor in Hollywood, Alec Baldwin.Bill Pullman plays Andy Safian, an associate dean at a small New England college outside of Boston that's currently under siege by a serial rapist who claims his latest victim as the film opens. Nicole Kidman plays his wife Tracy, a volunteer in the pediatrics ward of St. Agnes Hospital. They're renovating a Victorian house and need $14,000 for the plumbing. Enter Alec Baldwin as Dr. Jed Hill, a former high school classmate of Andy's, who's brand new in town and needs a place to stay. Andy needs the money, Jed needs a room, so the two hook up and soon Jed is sleeping upstairs in the Safiens' home...usually not alone, and his sexual escapades are grating on Tracy's nerves. The rapes continue, Andy is fingered as a suspect, and in the midst of it all, Tracy collapses with a ruptured ovarian cyst. Jed operates to save her life (after a night of drinking and wild partying), but renders her unable to bear children...leading to a malpractice suit from Tracy and an incredible soliloquy on surgeons with a God complex from Jed during the deposition.
But once the first half of the film is over, things really start to roll. Without revealing the rest of the plot, suffice it to say that as Andy, Tracy, and Jed all try to start their lives over again, their fates become inextricably entangled.
The movie is worth seeing once as a thriller. But the second time around, Baldwin's mesmerizing performance is what stands out. Jed is charismatic, seductive, and as charming as a cobra as he weaves his spell over the Safiens. Baldwin's ability to jump from utterly charming to incredibly chilling in the blink of an eye is on full display here; it is truly the performance of a lifetime.
See it once for the suspense, and again for the acting.
Movie Review: Really good thriller....
Summary: 4 Stars
If, like me, you somehow missed "Malice' when it was originally released, then you are in for a treat if you view it now. Never being a really big Nicole Kidman fan, I discovered she was at the top of her game in this movie that is all about playing games with the viewer's mind.
Alec Baldwin was exceptional and convincing in his role as a doctor with a God-complex. Bill Pullman was cast perfectly for his role as loving husband. Ann Bancroft and George C. Scott gave sterling performances in key roles. Frasier's wife Lilith with Cliff's accent was adequate in a different sort of role for Bebe Neuwirth. Look for a young Gwyneth Paltrow as a troubled college student.
The star of this film was definitely the plot twists and turns. Though I waited, I never became so mired in their tangle that I had to sit back and wait for it to work out. I was much to busy being entertained by the maliciously delicious manner the paths of the story took from scene to intriguing scene.
Watching older films on DVD I have discovered that most of all I enjoy those that are a 'pleasure' to watch, those they provide entertainment and enjoyment. This film did just that and at no time was it a waste of my time, agreeable or otherwise. My DVD offers a choice of wide-screen or full screen formats. The color saturation was marvelous. There were not a lot of extra features, but the theatrical trailer was different and interesting.
Viewers who love thrillers will enjoy 'Malice' as film that has aged well, offers an excellent cast, and retains it ability to thrill and entertain.
Movie Review: fun caper in the best noir tradition
Summary: 4 Stars
This is a very fun film, which many quirky subtle details that add into the conspiracy and hence can be viewed multiple times. The acting is also extremely fine, in particular the stars; there is even a brief appearance by a young Gwen Paltrow, who is a student Pulman's.
In terms of plot, the stunning wife of a dowdy college prof has a health crisis, entering into a law suit to seek revenge for a bad surgical call. Against this backdrop, there is a serial rapist on the loose, preying on students and casting a chill over the town. Baldwin is great as the arrogant doctor with a chip on his shoulder, who happens to have been a "jock" in the same high school as the sensitive Pullman. The three of them had become friends, so the ensuing events become ever more shocking as each character enters a downward spiral. They all turn out to be very different than the viewer assumed them to be, but to tell much more would cross the spoiler threshold. There is also a wonderful cameo by Ann Bancroft, as a neglected and cynical alcoholic. Bebe Neuwirth is also excellent as a tough though fair and friendly cop.
I was riveted by the film, delightfully fascinated and wondering what was really going on until very near the end. There were many instances that caught by complete surprise. The only unevenness of the plot is the serial rapist angle, which doesn't relate well to the action as it unfolds. But the conspiracy is deliciously risky and vicious.
REcommended. The whole thing works evenly and is a nice way to relax and spend some time.
Movie Review: " a waste of time?" I don't think so!
Summary: 4 Stars
A superb cast, a confusing but interesting story, this is one you really need to watch more than once. I just got it today from this website, and it'll definately be a frequent watch, even though I got the MGM edition, if it gets re-released, I'll definately get it again, but hopefully, if they do they'll put some good features with the movie.
I saw this for the first time in theatres with my mom, she kept covering my eyes so I didn't understand the plot-I was 13 at the time, I'll be 30 this year, but I had to watch it a few times before I could make any sense of it, but to me, the twists made it even more enjoyable. Nicole Kidman did a very good job in this film, Alec Baldwin, you go back and forth with his charecter-but the real villian is the biggest surprise. Because it made over $45 million in theaters,I have a hard time understanding why so many critics didn't like it, but then I keep forgetting the rule with them-if they like it, it stinks, if they don't, the audiences will.)
When Alec makes the 'God complex' speech, you really have to wonder what he's up to, but he gives it so convincingly, that you almost know he's really got it backwards. The film has many good one-liners, speeches, and a surprise around every corner-half the time, you aren't sure who's the real villian of the film, not to mention who's telling the truth...about anything.
Final note: after finally seeing the SAW series, I must mention Tobin Bell's cameo in this film, it was a good role for him, long before that was even thought of, at least 10 years prior.