Conspiracy Theory (Keepcase)

Patrick Stewart - evil?
I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this movie. When it hit theaters I wasn't interested in seeing it and only saw it recently. Being a huge Star Trek: The Next Generation fan, it was a cheap thrill to know that Patrick Stewart would be in this film... and he proves what an incredible actor he is. His character (Jonas) is so evil, you want him to just die, already!

Jerry Fletcher (Mel Gibson) is a cab driver in New York City. He is a nutty but harmless (or is he?) conspiracy theory junkie. He has all sorts of theories about crop circles, crime, government control, you name it.

He is sure that people are out to kill him, so he always sets up an elaborate escape plan and sets booby traps everywhere in his slum apartment. Jerry is unexplicably obsessed with Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts), who is an attorney with the Department of Justice. He continues to stalk her and tries continuously to contact her to espouse his latest theories. Alice feels sorry for Jerry and thinks of him as a...

Mel Gibson is Brilliant
If you have any doubt whatsoever that Mel Gibson is one of the greatest actors of our time, buy this movie and dispel those doubts once and for all. Gibson's portrayal of the unhinged Jerry Fletcher is nothing short of astonishing. Rambling in broken, unfinished sentences, and in facial expressions that speak volumes, revealing the depth of his character in layers, Gibson gives an incredible performance.

The conspiracy-laden plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the suspense is fantastic. Another EXCELLENT movie in Mel Gibson's enviable repertoire. Julia Roberts does a serviceable job in the movie also, though not a stand-out performance.

The only clinker in the movie is Lauryn Hill's version of Frankie Valli's classic "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You." Hill's version is a travesty that absolutely, positively RUINS that great song. Leave it to a modern-day singer/rapper to completely SCREW UP a classic song. Fortunately, you can fast-forward past it when...

Fantastic In Every Way
1. The story is unique, exciting, and well-constructed. You don't know whether Jerry Fletcher (Gibson) is really a kook, psycho, or all of the above until the very end. It is an inspired moment when we finally find out. True 'suprise endings' are rarely well-done in Hollywood, (not since THE STING), and this one rocks. 2. Mel Gibson's acting amazes me again. I was never a Gibson fan until TEQUILA SUNRISE, when Mel dropped his Aussie accent and impressed many. Then, BRAVEHEART, became my all-time fav (what a great story of courage, etc.) 3. The unlikely romance between Jerry and Alice is breathtaking. That a total loser like Jerry can overcome himself and win the heart of this woman inspires us all. You will cry at the end. 4. Finally, the production and SFX will impress even the most jaded moviegoer. It is peculiar how fast we became bored with gigantic SFX and CGI technology, but these action sequences are really well done with a flair that relies on ingenuity rather...

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