Film Review: Suspect (1987)

Anyone who sacrificed too much of a private life for the sake of career might sympathise with the protagonist of Suspect, 1987 courtroom thriller directed by Peter Yates. Kathleen Reiley (played by Cher) is attorney who complains to her colleagues that she can’t have children simply because she is too busy to find a boyfriend. As a public defender in crime-infested Washington, D.C. she feels exhausted with endless series of cases in which she represents various criminals. Shortly before Christmas, just as she was preparing to finally go on well-deserved vacation, she is given the case of Carl Wayne Anderson (played by Liam Neeson), a homeless and deaf Vietnam War veteran accused of murdering Elizabeth Quinn (played by Katie O’Hare), young Justice Department clerk. Her client is initially uncommunicative and hostile and his cause seems hopeless, especially after Judge Matthew Bishop Helms (played by John Mahoney) appears in the mood to finish the trial quickly. Riley only gradually begins to reach to Anderson and think that she might prove his innocence, but the real help comes from unexpected quarters. Eddie Sanger (played by Dennis Quaid), young congressional lobbyist who serves on the jury, begins to notice some details and evidence that might exonerate Anderson. Despite being forbidden by law to do so, he contacts Riley and not only shares his thoughts, but begins actively investigating the case in his spare time in hope to find the information that could point to real killer who is, in most likelihood, connected with country’s top judicial and political establishment.

Peter Yates, British director known for genre variety during his Hollywood career, was probably intrigued by film’s setting – US capital, where the most powerful people on the planet lived few streets away from the one of the most notorious crime explosions in history. Unfortunately, screenwriter Eric Roth (who would later win Oscar for his work on Forrest Gump) failed to see such potential and instead opted for conventional mix of crime thriller and courtroom drama. As a result, the plot is full of cliches and the ultimate outcome of the trial – with defendant having anything (including his character) stacked against him – quite predictable even to those not that familiar with Hollywood conventions. The only thing that looks somewhat refreshing is the idea of defence attorney being helped by sympathetic juror, but it is wasted due to poor characterisation; Sanger begins the film as the lobbyist, a person whose profession is not that away from political corruption, but suddenly and inexplicably transforms into idealist willing to risk his freedom and even life for a complete stranger. Plot is additionally burdened with romantic subplot, but the real disappointment comes at the end, during the completely unconvincing courtroom scene which features convenient plot twist. While ultimately disappointing, Suspect isn’t complete waste of time. Yates worked hard to use authentic Washington locations. Cast was at least competent; Cher has put a lot of effort to convincingly portray frustrated attorney, while Dennis Quaid tried his best with thankless and poorly written role. But the best impression was left by Liam Neeson in very demanding role of psychologically and physically afflicted person who goes through slow and believable transformation. For Neeson this performance paved the way for many great roles in the future, in much better and more memorable films.

RATING: 4/10 (+)

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Movie URL: https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/12623-suspect
Critic: AA