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Click above to purchase "Beyond Suspicion" at amazon.com
Beyond Suspicion
review by Zach B.
Rated R
Studio: Fox
Running Time: 109 minutes
Starring Jeff Goldblum, Anne Heche, Nancy Travis,
Timothy Olyphant, Richard T. Jones
Written and Directed by Matthew Tabak
Retail Price: $34.98
Features: Audio Commentary with Director Matthew Tabak
and Producer Daniel Stone, Audio Commentary with Director
Matthew Tabak and Jeff Goldblum, Behind The Scenes
Interviews, Cast and Crew Biographies, Alternate Ending,
Trailer
Specs: 1.85:1 Non-Anamorphic Widescreen, English Dolby
Digital 5.1, English Dolby Surround, French Dolby Stereo,
English Subtitles, Spanish Subtitles, Scene Selectin (20
Scenes)
Released: July 10th, 2001
When I got "Beyond Suspicion" to review, I asked myself,
"what the hell is this?". I have never heard of the film
before, thinking it was some direct to video title despite
well known names as Jeff Goldblum and Anne Heche. Of course,
some big actors with stalling careers need to have income
rolling in, but after going through this movie's supplements
and doing a little of research, there's some interesting
production stories about this movie, let alone it wasn't
direct to video despite how it may seem. Read on.
The real name of "Beyond Suspicion" is "Auggie Rose"
(coming from a character in the film). The movie was shot
quickly a while back and was well, pretty much ignored.
During the start of 2001, the movie got a small run in
California in a few theaters. And that was it. I suppose it
just died out and Fox didn't know what to do with it at the
start. However, they have provided a good DVD release for
the movie.
The movie is about an insurance salesman named John Nolan
(Jeff Goldblum), who feels a sense of guilt when he is
caught in a robbery and the man who has to get him a bottle
of wine, an ex-con named Auggie Rose, is shot and killed.
Nolan feels its his fault and he could have done something.
That's when he starts to become obsessed with Mr. Rose by
talking to people and slowly getting into his life and
getting into his skin. As he learns the most personal
details and invades what's his, Nolan will have a lot to
deal with as Auggie, as he questions existance and soon
learns the whole story about a man he didn't know, and what
brings with it being him.
Why Fox didn't release this wide is beyond me, but this
is a nice little movie. Matthew Tabak creates a nice movie
that has great dialogue, a good sense of mystery, thrilling
moments and eerie parts. The characters are well developed
and pretty damn interesting. The editing is also very good
and Tabak has a very clean, smooth directing style that goes
really well with his script.
The acting in this movie is really good. Goldblum is
fantastic as Nolan and really embodies the characters to the
fullest. He's a little chilling. Heche, Richard T. Jones and
Nancy Travis also do good work in this movie. The actors
help bring the script to life and make it all the more
believable. So, if you see "Beyond Suspicion" on your local
video store shelf, don't leave it sit and dismiss it as some
cheesy direct to video fare, because it's really not. Yes it
drags at time but it's well-crafted and made. Check it out,
it's great entertainment and a great story.
Sadly, "Beyond Suspicion" is presented in 1.85:1
non-anamorphic widescreen. The transfer is pretty decent,
but does have it's fair share of problems. First off, the
lack of extra resolution is pretty annoying. The movie looks
sharp but with an anamorphic transfer it could have been
sharper. Blemishes, gain and pieces of dirt plague this
transfer but it isn't too bad. Still, the main annoyance is
a ton of shimmering and a load of noise. Not to mention the
halo effect appears often. There are some problems, but it
could have been worse. Still, an anamorphic transfer would
have made this a bit better.
Fox has included a English 5.1 Dolby Digital track with
the movie, and it's a little above average. Dialogue is
clear and not distorted or muffled, and nothing overpowers
it. Mark Mancina and Don Harper's score sounds nice through
the channels, but overall, surrounds are weak. Subtle sounds
are decent but overall, this track won't excite much. .1 LFE
extension and transparency effects are average. A bit
disappointing, though it has its moments. English Dolby
Surround track is also included, a French Stereo track,
English subtitles and Spanish subtitles.
Despite the film's small release and how no one will
probably really notice this movie on home video, I'm glad
Fox has decided to give it some good treatment. The first
Audio Commentary with Director Matthew Tabak and Producer
Daniel Stone is pretty good. There are no real gaps of
silence, as they are enthusiastic about the movie and give a
lot of detailed tidbits. There is a lot of information to
absorb here, as they recount the tight shooting schedule,
details, a few interesting mixups, locations and a lot more.
It's pretty damn insightful and I really enjoyed this track
as they cover so many areas and so much throughout the
course of this track.
The second Audio Commentary with Director Matthew
Tabak and Jeff Goldblum is also good. Tabak talks about
his script more and the themes and morals expressed within
the movie, as well as some more information about making it.
Goldblum is a bit quiet and usually answers Tabak's
questions. I like Goldblum as an actor and I was glad he was
on his track, though his comments have a dry sense of humor.
Things aren't always screen specific and they do go off on a
tangent a bit, but there's a lot of other information here
that is very enjoyable. Not as specific as the first track,
but here things are bit more broad and implied, but they
cover a good amount of stuff that is good. Don't miss this
one either.
There's some interesting Behind The Scenes
Interviews with Goldblum, Dan Stone, Matthew Tabak and a
few more. There is behind-the-scenes footage of the shoot,
but the video and sound quality is poor. It is a little
promoish but they are insightful talking about the plot and
the film's issues. As I said, interesting. Check it out.
It's kinda like a home movie sorta.
A cool and enjoyable Alternate Ending in pretty
sharp detail is also on the disc, but is a little rough and
the time stuff on the ending. Finally, there's Cast and
Crew Biographies and the Trailer.
"Beyond Suspicion" is a pretty solid movie that is worth
checking out. The presentation is a but underwhelming, but
there are good features here. The retail price is a bit
steep though. Still, it's worth a rental.
 (4/5 - NOT included in
final score)
(4/5)
 (3/5)
 (2.5/5)
(2.5/5, NOT an average)
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