Past tense

Truly a good film and for noir addicts it is a must see. I see the Twin Peeks comparison and not surprising, one of the writers, wrote for that show (as well as his brother). Not for a casual view, it can quickly become confusing, as shown, almost completely, in flashback style. Nice "tip" to the Wizard of Oz and the attention to detail, is amazing.

Here's a modern-day film noir in which you're never sure what's real and what isn't real. There is a possibility you may get tired of guessing and give up on this film 3/4ths of the way through, as I almost did but it worth finishing. It also was better the second time around

The problem is just too many flashbacks. If some of those scenes were not replayed so often, or a few of the many twists eliminated, it would have been a super movie. It still was fascinating in parts. It grabs you, and you can't stop watching to see what the real story is. Along the way, is a bunch of nice colors and some nice film noir-type in the beginning and then during the ending credits.

The promissing cast starts good with nice scenes between the beautiful Lara Flynn-Boyle and Scott Glenn as the sensitive cop. But the story gets so weird: Lots of cheap flashbacks and "mysterious" knifes, glasses and fruits falling on the ground – uuups! – oh, you mean this is suspense? Then watch it. I didn´t enjoy it: 4 out of 10. To less Lara F.B. for to much movie.

OK, so you have to think as you watch - and after - but this film is a gem - and it hangs together even though it seems at times to be an incarnation of Twin Peaks - and THAT is NOT a bad thing! (There's even a Twin Peaks cast member aboard!) This is an excellent Psycho-Drama that will keep most theorizing right up to, through and past the end. Intelligent Film Noir, superbly cast and scripted - for those who like their Films Dark.

The police detective and aspiring writer Gene Ralston (Scott Glenn) is the senior of his partner and friend Larry Talbert (Anthony LaPaglia), who is a gambler and married to Emily (Sheree J. Wilson). When the sexy Tory Bass (Lara Flynn Boyle) moves to the next door, Gene befriends her and she tells she had witnessed a murder and is afraid to die. Gene tells that he is a cop and will protect her, and they have an affair. Later Gene visits Tory and finds her stabbed to death on her bed. Gene investigate the case and soon he learns that his neighbor is Dawn Tripplet (Marita Geraghty), who has been living in the house for thirteen months. Further there is no report of the death of any Tori Bass. Gene visits the psychiatrist Dr. Bert James (David Ogden Stiers) and he lves his office more confused. Soon Gene finds that he is not able to distinguish what is delusion or reality.

"Past Tense" is a great thriller in the neo-noir style with a complex plot that slightly uses the storyline of "Jacob's Ladder". The edition is very-well one and the music score is excellent. Scott Glenn is perfect in the role of a police detective and writer and the sexy and gorgeous Lara Flynn Boyle is in the top of her beauty and career. Unfortunately this underrated film has never been released on DVD or Blu-ray. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Traído pela Ilusão" ("Betrayed by Delusion")