Under Suspicion (1992)

In 1959 Brighton, disgraced cop turned P.I. Tony Aaron falsifies adulteries for use as evidence in divorce cases. His wife pretends to be painter Carlo Stasio’s lover but the pair are killed in a hotel room. The most likely suspects are Angeline, Stasio's mistress who is set to inherit his house and pictures, and Tony himself, whose story doesn't seem to add up. Starring Academy Award-nominee Liam Neeson (1993 Best Actor in a Leading Role, Schindler’s List) and Laura San Giacomo (TV's "Just Shoot Me").

An impressive and unpretentious sleeper

One of the best British thrillers of the 90s, Under Suspicion is an unpretentious audience picture which doesn't let its passing nods to classic British thrillers of the Fifties and early Sixties such as Hell Drivers, Blind Date and Victim, smother it. Set in Brighton at the close of the fifties, Liam Neeson plays the disgraced policeman turned seedy private detective who, with his wife, arranges the 'evidence' of adultery that British law then required for divorces only to find himself the number one suspect when she and his latest client are found murdered. With strong support from Kenneth Cranham as his last remaining friend on the force and a particularly good use of the scope frame (although the extra width does accidentally catch some very nineties phone booths and TV aeriels in the early scenes), it's well worth a look.

The only extra is the trailer, but the DVD does offer a good 2.40:1 widescreen transfer. February 17, 2008

Tight, quick-paced drama

Liam Neeson plays a sleazeball photographer/detective who with his wife arranges fake assignations in hotel rooms for divorce purposes, until one day the client and Neeson's wife are killed. Out of this develops a very taut and charged suspense movie that features a number of plot twists (just when you think you might have it figured out, it goes off in another direction), though often the finger of guilt comes back to point at Neeson again and again. The climax is a real nail-biter and will definitely keep everyone watching. The acting by the principals is strong and convincing, and although the story might be just a tad too convoluted in places, it never becomes totally unbelievable or confusing. It's a neat little crime drama, well worth a watch. November 10, 2006

Great little sleeper

I finally got around to watching this movie last night, and I have to say it was really a lot of fun. It is set in England, and is actually filmed there as well (instead of, say, Toronto). It covers two time periods, one older and one current, and sets up a very compelling murder mystery. You won't see the end coming, and yet you'll totally believe it when you see it. That's a combination that is very difficult to pull off.

It looks like a typical low-budget, late-night movie, but it really comes through. Give it a try if you like mystery thrillers. My guess is you'll be as pleasantly surprised by it as I was. December 31, 2005

Murder Tricks

I liked Liam Neeson in this part, he played it very well. The ending was a complete surprise for me. October 11, 2005

Five Stars Are Not Enough

This is a superb thriller in every sense of the word. The suspense builds throughout and the ending is one of the best ever done. The story takes place in England in the 1950's-1960, when strict divorce laws required proof of adultery, which often was manufactured. Neeson is a cop who was forced out of the police department; we witness the reasdon why as the film begins. He establishes a new life as a seedy detective instrumental in photographing evidence for divorcing couples.

The acting is great, the plot terrific. Totally entertaining. Has the same sort of tension as "Body Heat" and until the end, one is never sure what really happened. Highly recommended. March 27, 2005

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