Le sniper de Washington: 23 jours d'angoisse

This movie was definitely made too soon, especially since the trial of the two suspects is going on right now (messing up the jury pool???). Also, we have NO idea which parts of the movie were fictionalized, dramatized, or whatever. But, it WAS very well acted and Charles Dutton did a good job portraying Chief Moose. And the movie definitely reminds me of the horror of that time. You do sit there and cringe at every killing that is committed, feel angry at Malvo and Muhammed, feel frustrated with the investigation missteps, and the relief of the two being captured. But they really should have waited like a few years AFTER the convictions in court to make this movie.

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

A re-enactment of the comparatively recent real life District Capital shootings,that held the communities of Virginia and Maryland in a state of terrified frenzy for four weeks towards the end of 2002.As all the chaos envelops around him,Police Chief Charles Moose (Charles S Dutton) does his best to restore normality as much as possible and to get to the bottom of who is behind the killings.

As one or two other reviewers have stated and as I did mention at the beginning of my plot summary,this was a rather recent event and the producers of this film very quickly slapped it together.A little too quickly slapped together,perhaps,I think I'll agree and perhaps it would have been wiser for said producers to have let the dust settle a little first (well,at least let the TRIAL happen!) before going ahead and making it.To be honest,the very fact that a film based on such a major event is a TV movie,and as such,with the budget and production values of a TV movie in the first place shows how hasty to jump the gun they were.If greater patience had been shown,this should have been a major Hollywood production,with better sets and a bigger name cast behind it.

As it is,though,with it's cheap looking production and almost entirely unknown cast,D.C. Sniper:23 Days of Fear has attained an eerie,tense feel to it,with it's use of location and use of imagery and symbolism,as well as fairly moving performances from all it's central cast members.The creeping and unfamiliar sense of fear and disbelief is very well captured,with the aid of a well composed soundtrack and a tight,well written script that seems to have gone to meticulous detail to capture the true essence of what went on.

Such sensitive subject matter was always going to court controversy and yes,I think I'll agree the movie does give off the overall impression of being rushed and cheap.But it's certainly a very enthralling and moving account that will have you hooked to the end.****

I should start by saying I lived only 4 blocks from the shooting at White Flint and worked in Silver Spring. I have also used IMDb for years without feeling the need to write a comment or register for voting until now.

I felt this movie deserved a much higher rating then I what I saw. True my 8/10 can probably be viewed as a bit biased from being so close to the subject matter.

With that said, I feel the movie did a great job of portraying the events in a way that made you feel what it was like to go through it. I at times was intensely sad and angry watching it and re-living it. I enjoyed the way they portrayed Chief Moose, Who I respect and feel got unfairly treated during the events and especially subsequently after.

They did not unfairly demonetize the snipers although many probably feel they should. Instead taking a tactful approach to the characters.

I was also amazed to learn much more from this film then I though possible going into it.

*** If you want to know what it felt like to live this drama as the general victim of the proximity this film is a good place to start. ***

Well, I myself live about 30 minutes from DC, so i could really relate to the movie. i remember sitting there and shouting out "hey i remember this one, this one was the..." so and so. the movie in my opinion deserves about a 7, and thats higher than most people would rate it, but if you live in the DC Metropolitan area you can feel and appreciate it a little bit more.

Now, some may say this movie is controversial due to its subject matter, and the fact that it's been only a year since the horrific blood-lusting rampage that John Lee Malvo and John Muhammad had gone on to terrorize America.

Let's break down the analysis in to a few parts.

Acting - There was some pretty good acting, Charles Dutton did a great job at portraying Detective Moose.

The actors that played Malvo and Muhammad also did very good jobs. They had a great mix of emotion, and non emotion. As soon as they knew they were in trouble, you could just sense that Muhammad new they were in deep crap and wouldn't be able to escape.

Cinematography - This film had EXCELLENT cinematography. I loved the camera use in this tv movie. It was fantastic. Plus, the dark blue, and grey really sets the tone for such a case, as it gives the movie a "grimey" feel to it.

Plot/Storyline - It's based on true facts, so there isn't much to judge on. The director did an excellent job of translating these true events to an actual event on screen.

My grade - B+ (for TV movies.)

I've seen better, and oh God, I've seen FAR MORE worse. This is a must see if you like Phone Booth. A good popcorn movie to pass the time.

Although you may disagree, (since I live here in California and weren't in danger of the snipers), please, just enjoy the movie for what it is, a movie.