Malice (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
Dr. Jed Hill (Alec Baldwin) is a new trauma specialist at the local hospital in 'Malice', directed by Harold Becker. During Jed's first night on duty, he saves the life of a patient that another doctor had given up for dead. New in town, & looking for a place to stay (while he gets his bearings), he takes up the offer of an old college schoolmate, Andy Safian (Bill Pullman), who, along with his wife, Tracy (Nicole Kidman), is renovating an old house. They're a happy couple, who've been trying to have a baby for a while. Jed & Tracy don't get along well, & it's only with great reluctance that she agrees to rent out the 3rd floor of their new home.
Then, as if matters weren't awkward/tense around the house enough, Andy has to deal with the problem of a serial rapist at the college where's he is the assistant dean; a case in which even he becomes a prime suspect. The situation dies down a bit. But just when that happens, Tracy collapses & is rushed to the emergency room with internal/abdominal bleeding. The attending surgeon winds up being Jed (of all people), & one of his 'judgment' calls during the operation threatens to tear apart Tracy from Andy indefinitely. Melodrama & plot twists ensue.
'Malice' is classified as a 'thriller'. I wouldn't say there are 'thrills' OR that I was even 'thrilled', but it's a decent film that mildly entertained me. In other words, this isn't a Dead Again (Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson). I mean, parts of this film are a bit creepy, but most plot points are predictable or too contrived. Let me touch upon some of the positives, here. Nicole Kidman is best in show. Alec Baldwin is as smarmy as ever; in a good way, here - aiding the story. Bill Pullman is adequate as his usual 'doormat' self. And there are some nice cameos from Anne Bancroft & George C. Scott (!). The writing is sketchy. But Alec Baldwin has a nice stretch of dialogue at one point; describing the nature of his god complex. I mentioned before that it's a thriller with odd plot points & contrivances ... that's not necessarily a BAD thing. Sure, the film is no masterpiece, but it does make for some trashy fun.
Overall, the 'mystery' of the film isn't mysterious enough. It's far-fetched. The serial killer subplot (and it IS a subplot) feels like it's placed INTO the domestic turmoil story just for extra padded time & atmosphere -- strange. In retrospect, the film doesn't hold up as well (logistically). And Hitchcock would probably not approve {haha}. But as said, if you just sit back & let the film happen, you'll be engaged throughout. Boring, it isn't.
Then, as if matters weren't awkward/tense around the house enough, Andy has to deal with the problem of a serial rapist at the college where's he is the assistant dean; a case in which even he becomes a prime suspect. The situation dies down a bit. But just when that happens, Tracy collapses & is rushed to the emergency room with internal/abdominal bleeding. The attending surgeon winds up being Jed (of all people), & one of his 'judgment' calls during the operation threatens to tear apart Tracy from Andy indefinitely. Melodrama & plot twists ensue.
'Malice' is classified as a 'thriller'. I wouldn't say there are 'thrills' OR that I was even 'thrilled', but it's a decent film that mildly entertained me. In other words, this isn't a Dead Again (Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson). I mean, parts of this film are a bit creepy, but most plot points are predictable or too contrived. Let me touch upon some of the positives, here. Nicole Kidman is best in show. Alec Baldwin is as smarmy as ever; in a good way, here - aiding the story. Bill Pullman is adequate as his usual 'doormat' self. And there are some nice cameos from Anne Bancroft & George C. Scott (!). The writing is sketchy. But Alec Baldwin has a nice stretch of dialogue at one point; describing the nature of his god complex. I mentioned before that it's a thriller with odd plot points & contrivances ... that's not necessarily a BAD thing. Sure, the film is no masterpiece, but it does make for some trashy fun.
Overall, the 'mystery' of the film isn't mysterious enough. It's far-fetched. The serial killer subplot (and it IS a subplot) feels like it's placed INTO the domestic turmoil story just for extra padded time & atmosphere -- strange. In retrospect, the film doesn't hold up as well (logistically). And Hitchcock would probably not approve {haha}. But as said, if you just sit back & let the film happen, you'll be engaged throughout. Boring, it isn't.