Gotham (1988)

Betrayal, lust and greed are the main ingredients of this "stylish" (Films and Filming) and "fascinating" (Monthly Film Bulletin) supernatural thriller starring OscarÂ(r) winner* Tommy Lee Jones (The Fugitive), Virginia Madsen (Ghosts of Mississippi) and Colin Bruce (Chariots of Fire). Down-on-his-luck P.I. Eddie Mallard (Jones) eagerly accepts money from millionaire Charlie Rand (Bruce) to make Rand's socialite wife Rachel (Madsen) leave him alone. There's just one small problem'the woman has been dead for ten years. When Eddie encounters Rachel's glamorous ghost, he is immediately seduced by her otherworldly charms and becomes embroiled in a dangerous love affair with only one logical way out! *1993: Supporting Actor, The Fugitive

Was it the writer or the director?

Actors: 5 Stars

"Eddie": No actor could play the private investigator in Gotham better than Tommy Lee Jones.

"Rachel": The ghost in Gotham was required to be "glamorous" and "seductive"; Virginia Madsen surpassed those requirements.

If you enjoy these actors, then you'll enjoy Gotham.

There was a recurring distraction for me while watching Gotham. Time and again the charms of the actors drew me in, but something kept breaking their hold over my concentration. I was unable to identify the distraction during the film, except I narrowed it down to either the writer or the director (not something an audience wants to debate while viewing a film).

After the movie ended, I read the back cover on the DVD box: "Written and Directed by Lloyd Fonvielle."

That narrowed down the distraction for me.

The writer, Lloyd Fonvielle, offered an intriguing story-concept - to be haunted by a sexually erotic and potentially heart-breaking ghost; but all in all, his script seemed too heavily influenced by a Saturday morning cartoon - by "Casper," perhaps.

The director, Lloyd Fonvielle, was ADD - filming comedy, then suspense, then a thriller, back to comedy (this may not be the exact chronology...). As a result, the director gave us a remarkably clear view of no momentum.

The next time I watch Gotham (to enjoy the actors) I will supply my own imagination to improve the script and the direction. November 11, 2008

Poor Acting, Plot with gaping holes

I bought this DVD based on the 5 star reviews that it received here. I must say that this film was close to a complete disappointment. Tommy Lee Jones can usually be counted on to deliver his schtick in a fairly convincing way. Not this time. I offer the evidence of his performance in the regergitation scene where I have seen more convincing acting in my children's school plays. The other actors don't even merit a mention. To be fair I think the script and the directing did little to enhance the performances. perhaps the actors did the best with what they were given. On to the plot. The writers did not even seem to try to patch up the many holes in this completely illogical and contrived story. For a made for TV movie it is fine. Just don't expect much beyond what that genre typically delivers. Cheers! January 6, 2008

Rates "Classic" status

To anyone who is a fan of ghost stories, I have to say this one is particularly well done. It certainly ranks as one of my all time favorite filmic treatments of the genre. It is done with rare humor, but at the same time gives one a feeling of 1940's style film noir. It could have been filmed in black and white and still been very effective in promoting that dark, mysterious atmosphere.
Tommy Lee Jones portrayal of seedy private eye Eddie Mallard is one of his best performances in my opinion. He is at first understandably condescending to the rich client who wants him to follow his dead wife. After all, he is desperately in need of what he views as "easy money". It becomes and engrossing portrait of a man gradually coming to realize he has fallen hopelessly in love with a phantom. Virginia Madsen, in another marvelously suited role for her, is at once sexy and mysterious, while, at the same time showing us a vulnerable side. She also depicts the venal side of the spirit in a most remarkable fashion. Great characterization is a hallmark of this film, both in the writing and acting, and the rendition of "Danny Boy", sung by a street musician, is the most hauntingly beautiful version of that old song I have ever heard. It actually brought tears to my eyes! In fact, all of the music in this film is near perfect in its suitability to the story. I wish there were a soundtrack available on CD. It is that good.
Do yourself a favor and buy or rent this little known film. I do not think you will regret it. January 16, 2007

Gotham

Gotham is not the original title of this movie. I feel the original title caputured the essence of the movie and it was a mistake to change the title. There is a lot to like about this movie and I only wish it had recieved the credit it deserved when it was first released. Gotham is a tightly woeven story full of suspense and intrigue that keeps the viewer guessing till the end. The actors have done a supurb job, I especially like the character played by Tommy Lee Jones. It is one of the rare opportunities that you get to see him playing the romantic leading man. I especially enjoyed watching his character unravel as he becomes captavated by the 'ghost' he is meant to be investigating. I only wish that the ending was as good as the rest of the movie, as I feel it lets the movie down slightly. September 30, 2006

Wonderful 80's-Noir...Madsen & Jones in a hot preview for Keillor's "Praire Home"...

I'm not sure how I missed 'Gotham' [1988] when it came out in the late 80's, except for, well, it was still the 80's after all...I found this by accident and enjoyed watching it late one night. I can't agree more with the other comments/reviews already listed praising this film.

I have two suggestions though...one you can do nothing about and one you can.

The format is full-screen, and there are many instances during the film when it's painfully obvious that a wide-screen format would add immensely to the atmosphere and mood. There's not much you can do about that though until a widescreen format is released, if ever. What you can do, is turn your TV's 'Color' off, or desaturate the color, and add a little 'Contrast', to enjoy this film in B/W.

Fonvielle's 'The Mummy' [1999] DVD is also a fun-filled thrill not to be missed and 'Cherry 2000' [1987] DVD has Melanie Griffith in her finest form [maybe ever!]. I've seen all of his other writing credits as well, and while each is worthy of mention, both 'The Bride' [1985] DVD and 'The Lords of Discipline' [1983] DVD do not seem to have been given the production or directorial justice that Fonvielle's work deeply deserved.

Most recently Fonvielle produced and lent his voice to the independent 'Hopscotch' [2004; not to be confused with the 1980 Walter Matthau comedy-spy vehicle, or the 2006 Eric Lewis contemporary jazz concert, of the same US titles], an adapation of the 1963 novel, la 'Rayuela', by the acclaimed Latin-American [born in Brussels, Belgium to Argentinean parents and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina and later settling in Paris, France] writer Julio Cortazar [1914-1984], or aka 'Grandísimo Cronopio'. July 16, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...