Murder by Numbers

"Murder by Numbers" is a film which looks like it was made straight to video. And, if it wasn't, I have a hard time believing anyone would try to get this into theaters.

The story begins with a guy looking for his brother, who hasn't been seen nor heard from in some time. Oddly, no one seems that worried about the guy...until he's found dead. Suicide or murder? Who knows. But soon another body turns up...and the brother is determined to get to the bottom of it.

There are a few famous names in the movie (Jayne Meadows, Dick Sargent and Cleavon Little), but they are really not used effectively in the story. And, speaking of story, I am sure a lot of people won't appreciate the way AIDS is made part of the plot...especially when it turns out to be a red herring. But what I really disliked is how the brother assumed who the killer was and then they admit EVERYTHING! Huh?!

Overall, poorly written, dull and a film you don't exactly need to rush out to see.

My review was written in May 1990 after watching the movie on Magnum video cassette.

This listless whodunit trades on the AIDS epidemic as a poor taste plot device. It's reviewed here for the record as a current direct-to-video feature.

Real-life couple Sam Behrens and Shari Belafonte add some chemistry to Paul Leder's plodding tale of murdered Walter, a gay man whose ex-wife (Debra Sandlund) hires Behrens to investigate the death. Walter was dying of AIDS, a story gimmick announced early in the script and key to the mystery.

There's an abundance of suspects to interview: Walter's mean mom (Jayne Meadows), his lover (Robert Hosea), shady real estate agent Dick Sargent. Identity of the killer is laboriously unveiled in the talky final reel, replete with flashbacks. It's Leder's answer to the format of the old tv series "Petrocelli".

Boring feature is notable only for the silly marketing gimmick wherein screening copies were sent to video retailers with the final reel missing, as a contest. Guessing the killer correctly could win one a Salvador Dali print! Too bad the use of pointless ballyhoo has shifted entirely from theatrical to the home video arena these days.