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Mind Lies

1999, Movie, NR, 86 mins

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This murkily photographed film keeps you guessing without giving you compelling reasons to care about your guesses: The cast is second-rate and the denouement goes to Antarctica by way of the South Pole just to fool gullible viewers. Someone is slaying women connected to Mike Reid (Michael Rogue), so he must contend with official grilling by police detective Jack Stillman (Charles Halloran), his own half-brother. Stillman resents Mike for allegedly shooting to death their mother during their childhood. While trying to connect Mike to this killing spree, Detective Stillman also points an accusatory finger at his jealous cousin Stevie (Dennis Christopher) — could it be that Stillman needs a fall guy for his own crimes? And what bearing does Jessica (Andrea Leithe), the interior decorator Stillman introduces to Mike, have on the investigation? Or perhaps the real perp is Stillman's attentive partner Lou (Max Gail) or, for that matter, the FBI agent or even that extra in the bar scene. So many suspects, so little time! In addition to needing a scorecard, the viewer must contend with voice-over narration suggesting that the events are being filtered through Mike's skewed point of view. The finale peters out because anyone one of the suspects could be the murderer as easily as any other, and you'll forget the killer's identity ten seconds after the credits roll. leave a comment --Robert Pardi
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