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Also this issue: Space Cowboys screenpicks Big Trouble National Lampoon's VanWilder |
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April 4-10, 2002
movie shorts
HIGH CRIMES
When it comes to movie husbands, Ashley Judd can’t catch a break. In Carl Franklin’s movie, she’s a brilliant San Francisco lawyer who outsmarts prosecutors in rape trials, drives an expensive SUV and is trying to get pregnant with dreamy hubby Jim Caviezel. Big surprise, catastrophe strikes: Husband is arrested by the Marines for slaughtering nine El Salvadoran civilians 15 years ago. Throughout the film, grainy flashback “footage” shows several versions of the crime, so you’re supposed to be unsure who’s lying -- Caviezel or his superiors, whom he claims are framing him. Given that he’s been lying to Judd since he met her, however, you might wonder what drives her to defend him at the court martial, with the help of recovering alcoholic, ex-marine, once-super-lawyer Morgan Freeman, and assigned marine lawyer Adam Scott. And oh yes, her kooky sister (the poorly served Amanda Peet) comes along to provide comedy and a girlfriend for Scott. The case takes preposterous turns, Graeme Revell’s score hammers emotional points, Judd finds herself in various dire situations (home invasion, car wreck, circling-camera revelation scene, etc.), Caviezel cries, and Freeman maintains his dignity, despite the obligatory booze-temptation business. Franklin really needs to find a script he can run with. --Cindy Fuchs
(AMC Andorra;
Ritz 16)
