Dead Again (B or 3/4 stars)
During Dead Again's 105 swift moving minutes, actor/director Kenneth Branagh concocts a cinematic puzzle containing action, romance, humor, murder, twists, & an air of unpredictability that you just don't find anymore. 'DA' tells a tale of parallel stories unfolding in differing time frames ...
The 1st, which unfolds in L.A. in 1949 {presented in black-&-white flashbacks}, shows us the tragic romance of Roman & Margaret Strauss (Branagh & his then-wife, Emma Thompson). Roman, a German expatriate, is a world renowned composer, and Margaret is a British up-&-coming musician relocated to States. After love at 1st sight, they marry, but their faerie tale starts to fray. Margaret becomes suspicious that Roman's housekeeper, Inga (Hanna Schygulla) & her son, may be stealing $$ from Roman. He, in turn, is prudent of Margaret's 'friendship' with reporter, Gray Baker (Andy Garcia). This all leads to Margaret being stabbed to death using scissors. Her anklet is stolen. And Roman is convicted; going to the electric chair professing innocence.
The other 1/2 of this tale occurs in 1991 L.A., where P.I., Mike Church (Branagh again), has been sought by a priest to uncover the identity of a woman (Thompson again) who has lost her voice & memory. Mike's friend, Pete (Wayne Knight), puts her photograph in the local paper and, the only response is from hypnotist/antique dealer, Franklyn Madison (Derek Jacobi), who believes that trauma from the woman's past life might be the cause of her mute amnesia. He puts 'Grace' {as they call her} under hypnosis, & she begins seeing visions from Roman & Margaret's life. She regains her voice, but not her memory and, as she & Mike grow closer, she can't avoid noticing alarming similarities btwn. their relationship & that of Roman & Margaret. As she looks deep into the past, she starts to fear Mike, sensing he could be Roman re-incarnated and that murder may happen again. Chaos ensues after Mike agrees to be hypnotized ... and uncovers an unforeseen secret.
Dead Again's story is mighty complicated; some may say convoluted. But Branagh presents it all in a straightforward manner where confusion shouldn't be a problem for most viewers. Each twist contains suitable build-up & your mouth may be agape more than once. The characters, both in the '49 & '91, are well-developed, & Branagh keeps us guessing as to the uncertainty of Roman's guilt. The ending is presented in operatic fashion, rife with slow-mo shots, cuts btwn. past & present, blustering music by Patrick Doyle, & a grotesquely satisfying final death. The final moments are SO over-the-top, but that's by design. Branagh fuses his grand Shakespearean sensibilities with those of Hitchcock; pulling out all the stops throughout the elaborate noir plot.
Kenneth Branagh is a theatrical actor and, his dual portrayal of the gregarious German musician/intense private investigator is perfect for the material. Emma Thompson proves wholly empathetic as both Margaret & 'Grace'. And her chemistry with then-husband Branagh is palpable. Derek Jacobi brings mischievous humor to his portrayal; you can't quite put a finger on why he is so unsettling. Andy Garcia makes Gray Baker an enigmatic character' which serves the plot. And Robin Williams gives an atypical supporting turn as a former psychiatrist. All the performances aid the crazy story at play.
I just dug this lush romantic noir. The production design of both Roman's gothic mansion & Grace's state-of-the-art home, is superb. The editing of the scenes is restless, yet meticulous. And the moody cinematography & swirling camerawork {to compliment the swirling nature of the story} is very effective. And so, despite how bizarre this whole affair is - chock full of dissonant cinematic ingredients, overblown situations, & that OTT ending - I appreciated 'Dead Again' for the mystery at the heart of it, and for its sheer 'movie movie'-ness -- a popcorn movie, through & through. 'DA' may not be a masterpiece, but its wildly entertaining, for sure.
The 1st, which unfolds in L.A. in 1949 {presented in black-&-white flashbacks}, shows us the tragic romance of Roman & Margaret Strauss (Branagh & his then-wife, Emma Thompson). Roman, a German expatriate, is a world renowned composer, and Margaret is a British up-&-coming musician relocated to States. After love at 1st sight, they marry, but their faerie tale starts to fray. Margaret becomes suspicious that Roman's housekeeper, Inga (Hanna Schygulla) & her son, may be stealing $$ from Roman. He, in turn, is prudent of Margaret's 'friendship' with reporter, Gray Baker (Andy Garcia). This all leads to Margaret being stabbed to death using scissors. Her anklet is stolen. And Roman is convicted; going to the electric chair professing innocence.
The other 1/2 of this tale occurs in 1991 L.A., where P.I., Mike Church (Branagh again), has been sought by a priest to uncover the identity of a woman (Thompson again) who has lost her voice & memory. Mike's friend, Pete (Wayne Knight), puts her photograph in the local paper and, the only response is from hypnotist/antique dealer, Franklyn Madison (Derek Jacobi), who believes that trauma from the woman's past life might be the cause of her mute amnesia. He puts 'Grace' {as they call her} under hypnosis, & she begins seeing visions from Roman & Margaret's life. She regains her voice, but not her memory and, as she & Mike grow closer, she can't avoid noticing alarming similarities btwn. their relationship & that of Roman & Margaret. As she looks deep into the past, she starts to fear Mike, sensing he could be Roman re-incarnated and that murder may happen again. Chaos ensues after Mike agrees to be hypnotized ... and uncovers an unforeseen secret.
Dead Again's story is mighty complicated; some may say convoluted. But Branagh presents it all in a straightforward manner where confusion shouldn't be a problem for most viewers. Each twist contains suitable build-up & your mouth may be agape more than once. The characters, both in the '49 & '91, are well-developed, & Branagh keeps us guessing as to the uncertainty of Roman's guilt. The ending is presented in operatic fashion, rife with slow-mo shots, cuts btwn. past & present, blustering music by Patrick Doyle, & a grotesquely satisfying final death. The final moments are SO over-the-top, but that's by design. Branagh fuses his grand Shakespearean sensibilities with those of Hitchcock; pulling out all the stops throughout the elaborate noir plot.
Kenneth Branagh is a theatrical actor and, his dual portrayal of the gregarious German musician/intense private investigator is perfect for the material. Emma Thompson proves wholly empathetic as both Margaret & 'Grace'. And her chemistry with then-husband Branagh is palpable. Derek Jacobi brings mischievous humor to his portrayal; you can't quite put a finger on why he is so unsettling. Andy Garcia makes Gray Baker an enigmatic character' which serves the plot. And Robin Williams gives an atypical supporting turn as a former psychiatrist. All the performances aid the crazy story at play.
I just dug this lush romantic noir. The production design of both Roman's gothic mansion & Grace's state-of-the-art home, is superb. The editing of the scenes is restless, yet meticulous. And the moody cinematography & swirling camerawork {to compliment the swirling nature of the story} is very effective. And so, despite how bizarre this whole affair is - chock full of dissonant cinematic ingredients, overblown situations, & that OTT ending - I appreciated 'Dead Again' for the mystery at the heart of it, and for its sheer 'movie movie'-ness -- a popcorn movie, through & through. 'DA' may not be a masterpiece, but its wildly entertaining, for sure.