 |  | Baldwin & Kidman create "Malice" |  |
Saw this the other evening on HD Net and forgotten how well acted and directed that this psychological thriller is. Kidman in particular shows her spectacular range as she changes from a victim to a victimizer and Baldwin is perfectly cast as a sleezy egotistical surgeon who you suspect from the beginning with something up his sleeze. But it's the under-rated Bill Pullman years away from his heroic President of "Independance Day" that also keeps this film watchable. His reactions to the changing shifts in the story keep us riveted at every turn and of course his chemistry with detective Bebe Neuwirth is intriguing. George C. Scott and Anne Bancroft also shine in their cameo roles particularly Bancroft as Kidman's alcoholic mother. This is a thriller to be savored more than once.
December 6, 2008 | | One of the greatest scenes in cinematic history | |
First time I saw this movie, I was with a male roommate; we were so scared, we vowed to never marry. After I made the mistake of marrying such a one, I used the movie to break the news to my mother and brother. When the movie ended I told them that Nicole Kidman was my wife. But enough of that. Alec Baldwin's rant about his having a god complex is quite possibly one of the best scenes in cinematic history. Great contrast between someone with a god complex and the One who had The God Complex . org
June 27, 2008 | | I like it more each time I see it. You gotta pay some close attention though. | |
I remember when this movie came out it got panned pretty good. I actually think I watched Siskel and Ebert do their original review with mixed reactions. And that's understandable. This movie can be confusing. I understand it more with each viewing. Some may say they pack too much in this movie for it to be comprehensible. That too isn't unfair. But this movie falls into the "the more you watch it" category- you definitely realize more with each viewing. That's not how a movie should be I realize. But in some of my favorites it is. I've gone from 50/50 on this movie initially, to an 8 or 9 out of 10 scale. I think Baldwin is at his best as is Kidman. Bebe Neuwirth isn't utilized so much, and this surely isn't the fetching Bebe that I adore so much either. And there are some spectacular small performances by Peter Ghallager (Hollywood's perpetual attorney), George C. Scott, Anne Bancroft and Tobin Bell. A pretty loaded cast along with Pullman, Kidman and Baldwin. Though the most shining moments are from Baldwin and Kidman, playing the passionate conspirators, Bancroft makes the most of about a 10 minute scene that not only explains a lot, but is reminiscent of Geraldine Page's scene stealer in "The Pope of Greenwich Village". The ending was satisfying in many ways also. I tell you, I know this isn't time capsule celluloid, but I like this movie a lot. It entertained me, made me think, kept me guessing, and gave me an acceptable pay-off. Try it, but bear in mind, you can miss a lot on a the quickest of bathroom breaks.
December 25, 2007Tracy and Andy Safian (Nicole Kidman, Bill Pullman) are a young couple just starting out in life. He's an associate dean at the college and she's a teacher, and their big, old house needs repairs. To make ends meet, they rent out the upstairs room to an old high school classmate of Andy's, Dr. Jed Hill (Alec Baldwin). Tracy thinks he's impossibly arrogant but Andy likes him. One day, Tracy is rushed to the hospital with life-threatening pains, and Jed is the surgeon on call. His actions will destroy all of their lives.
This is one creepy thriller with great acting and a script that will keep you guessing - and on the edge of your seat. Baldwin is perfectly cast as the megalomaniac doctor. He's both attractive and repulsive and owns the screen. Kidman shows quite an acting range, going from ideal wife to something very shocking indeed. Pullman is Everyman, struggling to get by, doing his best, and being easily fooled. There is a scary subplot about a rapist on campus that is unnecessary, except to establish the close friendship between Andy and a hard-boiled police detective, well-played by Bebe Neuwirth. Anne Bancroft shines in a small part as Tracy's alcoholic mother. The story is fast-paced, intense, and full of surprises. If you like psychological thrillers, you'll enjoy "Malice."
June 26, 2007A great movie line that should go down in the history books. Alec Baldwin and Nicole Kidman shined in this ninies thriller and it still holds up pretty well. The plot does have a lot coindicences, but the performances are what make this film. The last twist with the kid may have been too much. Being a next door neighbor, I believe Kidman's character would have known about the handicap. Recommended.
May 3, 2007More reviews at Amazon.com ...
Daily Birthdays
