Cast
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Michael Douglas
as Steven Taylor
Gwyneth Paltrow
as Emily Bradford Taylor
Viggo Mortensen
as David Shaw
David Suchet
as Mohamed Karaman
Sarita Choudhury
as Raquel Martinez
Michael P. Moran
as Bobby Fain
Novella Nelson
as Ambassador Alice Wills
Constance Towers
as Sandra Bradford
Will Lyman
as Jason Gates
Maeve McGuire
as Ann Gates
Stephen Singer
as Effete Man at Met
Laurinda Barrett
as Met Woman #1
Aideen O'Kelly
as Met Woman #2
Reed Birney
as Merchant Prince #1
Robert Vincent Smith
as Merchant Prince #2
Crew
Director
- Andrew Davis
Producer
- Anne Kopelson
- Peter Macgregor-Scott
- Arnold Kopelson
- Christopher Mankiewicz
Reviews
John Chard
You should thank me. Artists are always appreciated more after they're dead!
A Perfect Murder is directed by Andrew Davis and written by Frederick Knott and Patrick Smith Kelly. It stars Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, Viggo Mortensen, David Suchet and Sarita Choudhury. Music is by James Newton Howard and cinematography by Dariusz Wolski.
A powerful husband. An unfaithful wife. A jealous lover. All of them have a motive. Each of them has a plan.
A re-imaging of "Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder", which itself was by the great director's admission not one of his best, Andrew Davis' ("The Fugitive") film may not reach great heights, but it at least is its own animal. The twists and turns are solid enough for entertainment purpose, and suspense is never far away. The characterisations bring about differing and alternating responses from the viewers, which is a nice trick in the tale, and while the finale seems a touch "popcorn crowd appeasing", this rounds out as a satisfying suspense thriller. 7/10
Excellent performances, with interesting twists on the original film, and compelling direction by THE FUGITIVE‘s Andrew Davis highlight this intriguing suspense film. The film isn’t without it’s flaws, as you may find it difficult to resolve the fact that you’ll probably wind up rooting for the murderous Douglas not only due to his usually being the good guy in his films but because the lovers are severely flawed characters most will think deserving of getting offed, especially the lame-ass Mortensen as Paltrow’s love interest. With PSYCHO and REAR WINDOW also being made this year, I am left with mixed feelings about this latest trend. On the one hand, these remakes speak to the fact of Hitchcock’s timeless themes in his films, while on the other hand it points out that Hollywood has perhaps run out of ideas when even a remake of a middling Hitchcock film is one of the better thrillers to come out in recent years.
May 23, 2020
John Chard
You should thank me. Artists are always appreciated more after they're dead!
A Perfect Murder is directed by Andrew Davis and written by Frederick Knott and Patrick Smith Kelly. It stars Michael Douglas, Gwyneth Paltrow, Viggo Mortensen, David Suchet and Sarita Choudhury. Music is by James Newton Howard and cinematography by Dariusz Wolski.
A powerful husband. An unfaithful wife. A jealous lover. All of them have a motive. Each of them has a plan.
A re-imaging of "Alfred Hitchcock's Dial M for Murder", which itself was by the great director's admission not one of his best, Andrew Davis' ("The Fugitive") film may not reach great heights, but it at least is its own animal. The twists and turns are solid enough for entertainment purpose, and suspense is never far away. The characterisations bring about differing and alternating responses from the viewers, which is a nice trick in the tale, and while the finale seems a touch "popcorn crowd appeasing", this rounds out as a satisfying suspense thriller. 7/10
May 23, 2020
JPV852
This is one I've seen a few times over the years (last time was nearly 10 years ago). Wonderfully devious performance from Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow holds her own (and looks great). Not an amazing thriller but kept my attention to the end. Fine direction by Andrew Davis who a few years before directed the great thriller, The Fugitive. **3.75/5**
Jan 15, 2022
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, A Perfect Murder examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Andrew Davis brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1998, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of A Perfect Murder took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $60.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 107 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 129 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 8 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 8 weeks before filming began.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1998, when this film was released:
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While A Perfect Murder shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Sleuth, which focuses more on action than character development, A Perfect Murder offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Breathless and Elevator to the Gallows explore similar territory, A Perfect Murder stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: June 5, 1998
- Runtime: 1h 47m
- Budget: $60,000,000
- Revenue: $128,038,368
