Condamné à mort

A very good movie, especially for a made for cable movie. The funny thing is I saw this movie by accident. I read the summary of the movie in the T.V. guide, but wasn't interested in it. Anyway I was watching the tube when the movie suddenly came on.

I immediately was hooked, and thought the plot was well done.

After the first couple of scenes, I thought, "What an interesting idea--now let's see what they do with it." I was hoping this film would provoke some really hard thinking about moral responsibility, what we mean by one's "self", etc., but it turned into the usual tale of "redemption," accompanied by (of course) gunplay and suspense. Wait, did I say suspense? Sorry. The final "twist" is so utterly predictable and so obviously foreshadowed very early in the story that the last half-hour is just a waste of time-- a big build-up to something you already know is going to happen. Instead of an act of redeeming self-sacrifice on the part of the main character, it would have been more interesting if presented strictly as a legal conundrum, with arguments for and against commuting the killer's death sentence, etc. >

I'm showing this one to all of my friends who somehow missed it too. Randy Quaid does some of his best acting (although you've gotta admit his true calling is in comedys). I also enjoyed the script, especially where they DIDN'T say anything. Randy in the toaster (electric chair), without any last words is classy. Rent it!

What if someone has been truly rehabilitated after being sentenced to death. Do you forget the heinous crimes they committed if they cannot remember them? If they are able to help you solve future crimes will you keep them alive? These are the questions that come up in this interesting film starring Randy Quaid (The Last Detail, Brokeback Mountain) and Embeth Davidtz (Bicentennial Man, Bridget Jones's Diary).

He is a convict struck by lightning at the moment of his execution. He lives and can see future crimes. She is the Psychiatrist trying to determine if he should be executed again.

It makes you think about capital punishment, retribution, and forgiveness. Great ending.

This movie was a pleasant surprise!! When I saw it listed for cable, I thought (mostly because of the title) "Yaaawwwwwnnn.. another horror flick". That was the only yawning I did from the time the film opened.

The film tells the story of convicted serial killer Jeremy Dillon (Randy Quaid) who is about to die in the electric chair for the brutal sexual assault and rape of several women.

Dillon survives the execution attempt after a freak accident causes the electric chair to malfunction. Dillon is still electrocuted, but survives. Or did he?

The Jeremy Dillon that leaves the execution chamber is very different from the Jeremy Dillon that entered it. He has no memories of committing the murders, in fact, everything about the last 12 years of his life is a blank. When confronted with pictures of his victims, Dillon shows revulsion and disbelief at what he has done.

And he has changed in other ways too.. The experience has changed DIllon's perception of the world, literally, leaving him with the ability to see certain events in both the future and past.

This movie is more than just a prison movie, and definitely not a horror film. I have always enjoyed Randy Quaid, and he does an outstanding job here. Its not a thought provoking movie, and makes no attempt to make a "statement". It will hook you from beginning to end though!! 7/10