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Malevolent

2001, Movie, R, 95 mins

Malevolent: Review

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This inept thriller tried to adopt an edgy, film-noir attitude but gets bogged down in gratuitous sadism, irrational motivations and incredible plot twists. Police Detective Jack Lucas (Lou Diamond Phillips) must repair the damage to his reputation done by his late partner, who engaged in questionable doingd connected to the Red Dragon gang. Jack is cleared by Internal Affairs, but has no idea his real problems are just beginning. At a bar, Jack meets an overly friendly stranger who introduces himself as Oliver (Edoardo Ballerini) but insists Jack call him "Ollie," and pours out a sob story about his messy divorce from exotic dancer Jessica Tarrant (Kari Wuhrer). Ollie then slips Jack a Mickey Finn, steals his gun, obtains DNA samples and sets about discrediting Jack. All too soon, Jack learns that obsequious "Ollie" is really millionaire Richard Chadwicke, and that he's a psycho who stalked Jessica — he was never her husband. Chadwicke murders Detective Joe Dexter (Rex Ryon) and frames Jack for the crime; he later befriends one of Jessica's friends and murders her, too. As Chadwicke torments Jack and Jessica, Jack does some investigating and learns that Chadwicke is the son of a famous actress. Chadwicke was seduced by his own father, who later carried out a murder-suicide pact with Chadwicke's mother. And it was Jack's father, Dr. Warren Lucas (Carmen Argenziano), who treated the troubled Chadwicke during his formative years. Jack goes after Chadwicke, who turns around and sues the city, while taunting Jack with yet another revelation: He may be the madman who got away with murdering Jack's mother! If he wants to get back his life and keep his sanity, Jack must outwit this devious lunatic who can play the criminal justice system like a pro. Scary stalker movies encourage viewers to despise the sociopath while admiring his (or her) brilliant strategies. In this misfire, both the villain and the hero are washouts; one's a dope and the other is a far-fetched bogeyman. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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