Dead Again

Starring:Emma Thompson, Jo Anderson, Obba BabatundÃ©, Raymond Cruz, Patrick Doyle, Richard Easton (II), Christine Ebersole, Andy Garcia, Lois Hall, Gregor Hesse, Derek Jacobi, Erik Kilpatrick, Wayne Knight, Patrick Montes, Gordana Rashovich, John Gould Rubin, Hanna Schygulla, Vasek Simek, Robin Williams
Studio: Paramount Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

British thespian and sophomore director Kenneth Branagh follows up his adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry V with this abrupt change of pace, a slick, stylish thriller evocative of Hitchcock, classic film noir, and gothic shockers. Sporting an exaggerated American accent, Branagh stars as L.A. private eye Mike Church, a hard-boiled but softhearted detective who takes on the case of a mysterious amnesiac (Branagh's then-real-life wife, Emma Thompson). With the help of an offbeat furniture dealer and part-time hypnotist (Derek Jacobi), Grace (as Mike has named her) dredges up her hidden memories. Little do they realize that her recollections are of a past life in L.A.'s recent history, and as she recounts the details of a famous marriage that ended with a notorious murder (played out as black-and-white flashbacks starring Branagh and Thompson), events of the present begin to mirror the past, as if fate were pulling the two into fatal replay of history. Branagh's flashy, flourished direction echoes with an array of '40s and '50s classics and near classics (most notably Hitchcock's Rebecca and Spellbound) and drives the story with an edgy urgency, all the better to distract from some of the sillier elements of the plot. But while this film may not make literal sense in the harsh light of day, in the twilit, shadowy world of classic Hollywood this slyly inventive thriller is a bravura bit of old-fashioned entertainment, done up with modern flair. --Sean Axmaker

Customer Reviews:

A Minority Report.......2007-05-19

This minority report says that DEAD AGAIN could have been, but is not, a great film. DEAD AGAIN was obviously made as a loving parody of the Hitchcock/film noir genre, because some scenes, camera work and music are so broad that the tongue positively sticks through the cheek. However, much of the movie is played straight, and thus, overall, the tone is confused. My minority report says that the American accents of Branagh and Thompson, both superb British actors, were not convincing. In fact, their efforts to sound American in their modern "incarnations" caused their acting to suffer. Branagh thinks that to sound American is to be a Noo Yawkuh (sorta), and Thompson is so busy trying to sound Amurik'n that her character lacks luster, even taking into account that the character is a victim of amnesia walking around in a perpetual state of hyper-vigilance, caution, confusion and/or dread. Similarly, I disagree that the performance of Robin Williams was good. His character was creepy for no particular reason, although one sinister close-up of him looking back at our protagonists hints at some darker purpose, which is never revealed. Just another "fake out" in the service of phony film noir suspense.

Yes, the film has a very clever plot twist at the end. But my minority report has a serious bone to pick with those reviewers who feel that DEAD AGAIN holds up on second viewing, once you know the secret: A major flaw involves the sloppy use of flashbacks in the form of hypnotic regressions that are performed on Branagh or Thompson by Derek Jacobi's antique dealer-hypnotist. Although ostensibly coming from either Branagh's or Thompson's hypnosis session, the flashbacks frequently reveal both their actions, even when they're separated from each other at the time. For example, during one of Branagh's hypnosis sessions, he recalls being inside at a party, having a conversation with another man, while simultaneously somehow recalling Thompson and Garcia outside having a conversation in the garden. It's impossible for Branagh to have been in two places at once. He couldn't possibly have heard or seen the interaction between Thompson and Garcia that is supposed to be a product of his own memory. The audience thus receives more information than it logically should. This method of plot exposition is fundamentally flawed.

And somebody please explain to me how a person that's been stabbed deeply in the knee with a sharp pair of scissors can still walk, or how somebody who's been shot at close range in the left side of the chest can revive themselves sufficiently to fight on and survive.

Add up these annoying inconsistencies and deficiencies (and others I won't bother to list here), and place them side by side with the earnest and committed work of otherwise excellent actors. You end up with a 3-star movie: entertaining in a campy, kitschy kind of way, but not great, as it might have been. See the film if you love the actors, but be prepared to be disappointed.

Great suspense ride.......2007-04-22

Dead again is one of my favorite movies. I must admit I have probably wached it a dozen times or more over the years. Ken Branagh gives a clever performance here as the devil may care private detective vs his past life performance as the maestro who is sitting on death row as the movie opens. It's too bad Ken gave up his acting for directing. Emma Thompson is wonderful as the amnesiac who falls into hypnosis like a duck does to water. The plot keeps twisting and turning and you never really know who is undoing who. Robin Williams, whose name isn't even in the opening credits gives a dark intriguing performance here in a small, but quite good as the used to be psychiatrist. And Derek Jacobi, the infamous Frankie the hypnotist took a step away from London and Shakespeare to Hollywood for this film is very convincing. The Hitchkock like supsense that keeps bouncing back and forth from present to past is fascinating. The DVD comentary keeps referring to it as a noir film whatever that is, it truly keeps you on the edge of your seat until the end. I am a hypnotist with
a fascination with past lives, this story has all the right elements for me. I highly recommend this film

I'm Not Roman.......2006-12-12

This film is clever, dramatic and full of some very interesting twists. Garcia is top notch especially as his character "matures." Wayne Knight has a very interesting part to play here as a photographer who relays a story of lost memory to Mike and Grace. Robin Williams has never been better in this very low key role of a former shrink. Jacobi playing the rather off beat antique dealer has a really clever role here, very different from I Claudius even though th-th-they share commonalities. The final scenes where all players meet again for the final show down are a bit contrived and drawn out way too long, but over all an interesting film. Branagh and Thompson are always good to watch. An interesting point about this movie is that the beginning scene let's you know who is who, but you just don't figure it out until three-quarters of the way through. Just remember that E does not = M, C?

A REAL SLEEPER.......2006-09-02

This is a tale split in two- with a modern day story starring Branagh and Thompson echoing a story told in flashback from the 1940's (also starring the same duo who were married at the time). Extremely well done and it's very reminiscent of old mysteries, film noir, and Hitchcock movies. Branagh evidently must be a fan of these also as his film is a real treat to anyone who enjoys classic mystery- suspense films. It will keep you guessing until the end and it is a film you will want to see again. A definite 5 star movie!

Fast, facile fun.......2006-07-27

with a well crafted script, good actors at the heights of their powers and brisk no nonsense direction. Emma Thompson has done better work since but Kenneth Branagh hasn't unfortunately.

Too bad really. Branagh may still be a pretty good director but I think working with Emma is what lent him an appeal and warmth on screen that he has not been able to recapture. His Hamlet was glossy, chilly, unpleasant and too old. Nevertheless, I'm grateful that we at least have this, as well as his Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing.

Average customer rating:

A Minority Report
Great suspense ride
I'm Not Roman
A REAL SLEEPER
Fast, facile fun

Dead Again
Starring: Jo Anderson , Obba Babatundé , Raymond Cruz , Patrick Doyle , and Richard Easton (II)
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004T9BY
Release Date: 2000-06-27