BEYOND SUSPICION
Released: January 1, 2000
If your life were to end today, would it be enough?
Forgive this movie's generic and unsuited title. Some brain trust at Fox decided to rename this movie from the original, highly suitble "Auggie Rose" - the name of its main character played by Jeff Goldblum. "Beyond Suspicion" sounds like a Tommy Lee Jones/Ashley Judd action thriller movie name. Anyways, what we have here is a barely released in theatres movie that will likely not jump out at you at the video store based on its new title or cheesey home video art design. But please don't let that detract you from renting this fine little movie. Goldblum is John Nolan. He sells life insurance and he is good at his job. He wears great suits and exudes a confident air when pitching to clients. One evening, while purchasing a bottle of wine from a deli/liquor store, his value system is shockingly awakened, changing his life forever. He decides to have the wine bottle he chose replaced because the label was scratched. He later views this request as a contributing factor to the death of a ex-con clerk fatally shot in the surprise, panicky hold-up that follows. Goldblum's performance is subtle yet utterly effective, fulfilling all the required elements of a successful businessman who is morally distraught and confused by society's lack of concern over the murder of an ex-con recently released from prison. With no relatives or friends to speak out for him, Auggie Rose's death will hardly be investigated and his body will have no funeral. John, seen as a do-er, will not allow this to pass unmarked, if only by his own conscience. Unable to accept what he deems as a momentous event passing with only a shake of society's collective head, Nolan continues to pursue the details of Auggie's life regardless of the blasé attitude of the police, his friends or his live-in girlfriend. What happens next, and how Nolan adopts the identity of Auggie is just the beginning of a story that isn't so much telling us about the details of this specific situation but rather asking you to ask yourself how YOU feel upon watching it. I believe there is a natural desire to change personas. Hollywood tried with a similar movie called "Reindeer Games" but this version, shot delicately and without meddling by Matthew Tabak, really hits home at the idea that life is short. Do you feel like what you've amounted to is where you want to be? A Hollywood ending could have been easy but Tabak's version feels right just as it is. So, forget "Reindeer Games" and ignore the cover art for "Beyond Suspicion" and give it a rent. Co-starring Anne Heche in what is probably her best work to date...
20th Century Fox
109 Minutes