Shadow of Doubt

A surprisingly good thriller. This mystery with conspiracy theory overtones starring Melanie Griffith and Tom Berenger is well constructed. The clues to the killer could have been a touch stronger but it's basically a "play fair" mystery with lots of red herrings to keep you guessing. Berenger, as usual, is very good as the DA opposing defense attorney Griffith, whom he used to date. Griffith is very believable as the sharp attorney often underestimated due to her looks and little girl voice. Singer Huey Lewis is a very pleasant surprise as Griffith's investigator and tech expert.

Who'd have thought that Huey Lewis would have turned out to be a pretty good actor? The supporting cast of this film really hold this movie together, under Melanie Griffith's lead. Tom Berenger gives a great performance as the ambitious DA, and some of the best moments of the film are his scenes with Melanie Griffith. Overall,

I think the writers tried too hard with some of the dialogue, but the movie has enough twists and turns and a surprise ending that will keep you thinking past the movie's ending.

Or, more precise, result of good intentions. because it is a proof of decent try from director, actors and scriptwriter to give a reasonable thriller. but the web is too large and too obscure. and the resemblance with many others films, better films, is not a virtue in this case. but , the different pieces from puzzle are enough for a not bad result. Melanie Griffith knows use an old recipe for a conventional character, Tom Berger is a not real bad choice for his role and Nina Foch is an inspired choice for Sylvia Saxon. the only obvious mistake remains Craig Sheffer, in a role who seems be only a poor ornament for a too rich Christmas tree.

This is a decent legal suspense/thriller, if you can accept sweet little Melanie Griffiths as a kick-ass sex-crime lawyer, which she pulled off pretty well. She has to juggle returned perverts from the past with perverts from the present, and althought the plot isn't mind-boggling it's fine if you aren't expecting the world. It might be the equal of Copycat with Sigournay Weaver.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Tom and Melanie. There seemed to be just the right amount of tension between them to keep me guessing about whether they would get back together or not. Not to mention the twisted plot (not twisted enough to be unbelievable - it was perfect). Thanks! Cheryl Pinner