A Perfect Murder (1998)
If you’ve never seen Dial M for Murder, put A Perfect Murder on ice for a couple of days while you watch the original. If you see the remake first, you don’t stand a chance at liking the 1954 version. Compared to the 1998 reboot, it’s boring.
For those of you who do know the story, the setting is transported to New York City. The thin, graceful blonde is Gwyneth Paltrow, and her vengeful, plotting husband is Michael Douglas. Perfect casting, huh? Michael Douglas is fantastic in this movie, with his classic calm-before-I-kill persona in full force. Viggo Mortensen plays the boyfriend, and his character gets the most changes in the remake. Rather than a friend of the husband, and a classy guy himself that she could be proud to wear on her arm, he’s a scuzzy starving artist who needs a haircut and a serious interior decorator.
Part of the fun is watching how incredibly stupid Gwyneth Paltrow’s character is. Why would you cheat on Michael Douglas? Haven’t you seen his temper in his other movies? All kidding aside, why would you cheat on Michael Douglas? He’s got looks, class, enough money for her not to suspect he’s only interested in her bank account, a respectable job, and impeccable taste. I don’t know what’s better, his haircut, his wardrobe, or the furnishings in his apartment. The beautiful wood of his desk (which matches the front door) is enough to take your breath away. Gwyneth complains to her girlfriend, Sarita Choudhury, that everything is on Michael’s terms. He’s shown selecting a dress for her to wear before they go to a social engagement, but little tip-offs like that would have revealed themselves during their courtship. If he needed a trophy wife to conform to his standards, he would have tested her out when they were dating. He’s the kind of guy who invited her to the opera and had a new dress delivered to her apartment, and she probably thought it was classy and impressive. If she left him and married Viggo, would he look and act presentable when they went to a gala with her rich friends? My point is that she’s very stupid and has remarkably bad judgment.
One of the great touches of the film is how visually pleasing it is to watch. No, I’m not talking about Michael Douglas or Gwyneth Paltrow (or Viggo for the ladies who share similar taste as my mom). There are little touches of red that punch up your awareness. Gwyneth’s red lipstick, the red leather couch in their apartment, and streaks of Viggo’s red paint across the canvas all heighten our anxiousness for what we know is coming.
There are surprises around every corner in this movie, a wonderful remake from a story that was already interesting to start with. Rent it for a fun girls’ night, with no husbands allowed! And just when you thought Dial M for Murder couldn’t get any better. . .
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids see it.
More Gwyneth Paltrow movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1954's Dial M for Murder here!
For those of you who do know the story, the setting is transported to New York City. The thin, graceful blonde is Gwyneth Paltrow, and her vengeful, plotting husband is Michael Douglas. Perfect casting, huh? Michael Douglas is fantastic in this movie, with his classic calm-before-I-kill persona in full force. Viggo Mortensen plays the boyfriend, and his character gets the most changes in the remake. Rather than a friend of the husband, and a classy guy himself that she could be proud to wear on her arm, he’s a scuzzy starving artist who needs a haircut and a serious interior decorator.
Part of the fun is watching how incredibly stupid Gwyneth Paltrow’s character is. Why would you cheat on Michael Douglas? Haven’t you seen his temper in his other movies? All kidding aside, why would you cheat on Michael Douglas? He’s got looks, class, enough money for her not to suspect he’s only interested in her bank account, a respectable job, and impeccable taste. I don’t know what’s better, his haircut, his wardrobe, or the furnishings in his apartment. The beautiful wood of his desk (which matches the front door) is enough to take your breath away. Gwyneth complains to her girlfriend, Sarita Choudhury, that everything is on Michael’s terms. He’s shown selecting a dress for her to wear before they go to a social engagement, but little tip-offs like that would have revealed themselves during their courtship. If he needed a trophy wife to conform to his standards, he would have tested her out when they were dating. He’s the kind of guy who invited her to the opera and had a new dress delivered to her apartment, and she probably thought it was classy and impressive. If she left him and married Viggo, would he look and act presentable when they went to a gala with her rich friends? My point is that she’s very stupid and has remarkably bad judgment.
One of the great touches of the film is how visually pleasing it is to watch. No, I’m not talking about Michael Douglas or Gwyneth Paltrow (or Viggo for the ladies who share similar taste as my mom). There are little touches of red that punch up your awareness. Gwyneth’s red lipstick, the red leather couch in their apartment, and streaks of Viggo’s red paint across the canvas all heighten our anxiousness for what we know is coming.
There are surprises around every corner in this movie, a wonderful remake from a story that was already interesting to start with. Rent it for a fun girls’ night, with no husbands allowed! And just when you thought Dial M for Murder couldn’t get any better. . .
Kiddy Warning: Obviously, you have control over your own children. However, due to violence, I wouldn't let my kids see it.
More Gwyneth Paltrow movies here!
Be sure and check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1954's Dial M for Murder here!