PERFECT MURDER, A

SYNOPSIS:
Millionaire industrialist Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) has everything except what he craves most - the love and fidelity of his wife Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow), his most treasured acquisition. But Emily wants and needs more than just a role as a dazzling accessory in her husband’s world. Brilliant and sophisticated, Emily, who works as a multi-lingual translator and aide to the US Amabassador to the United Nations, has been involved with David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen), a talented but struggling artist. When Steven learns the truth, a scheme as complex as a lethal board game is put in motion. A perfect murder - with Emily as the target.

"There are problems with the remake of a well-loved classic. While this new offering is slick and well made with eminently watchable stars, A Perfect Murder falls down with the script. It’s half way through the film before there is genuine suspense; we care too little for the characters at the beginning, while towards the end, the action is unbelievable and melodramatic. But still, there’s something to recommend this handsome production. The actors are compelling: Michael Douglas, in a Gordon Gekko-like role, and Gwenyth Paltrow, both give strong and appealing performances, although it is hard to understand the basis of their relationship. While possessing a younger, beautiful trophy wife is the rationale for Steven, it is not clear what is in it for Emily. Emily’s relationship with David (Viggo Mortensen) seems to be based on sex; but the script keeps mentioning the word ‘love’… The two worlds of the rich and the poor are clearly contrasted, and there’s much to oogle at in the Taylor’s plush apartment, with a kitchen to die for, original artworks and a large sunken bath. Why, in all this opulence and in this day and age, isn’t there a phone in the bathroom? But then, this is one of the translation problems for a story that worked so well in 1954. David Suchet’s wonderful performance as the police officer adds an extra dimension, while James Newton Howard’s chilling, moody score and clever editing accentuate the tension of this tale of passion, blackmail, infidelity and greed."
Louise Keller