.com for Murder

I have avoided commenting on this movie for quite a while. I purchased this movie when it came out on DVD because I am a fan of B movies. This particular movie sat in the can for quite a while. I knew that this was supposed to be big movie for Omega pictures so I expected a big push for theaters. The rumored cast that I first heard about was identical to this with only the part of Worther being different; played by Robert Downey Jr. Downy unfortunately had some troubles about this time and instead of recasting a big name actor it was decided to go with a new face. Jeffrey Dean was given this part. He did have a small part before this in a movie called Snitch (angry boyfriend-not reflected on IMDB). I do believe that this movie would have been different if Downy was cast as the bad guy but then it would have lost the Rear Window feel and focused on the bad guy instead of the heroine.

I originally never bought the idea of the Rear Window reference that was pushed by Omega but as a fan of Rear Window I do now see some similarities.

This movie is definitely better than one thinks the first time through. Jeffery Dean gives a very good performance for his first big role. He reminds me of Juaquin Pheonix in looks and mannerisms. He controls his lines and emotions well. The rest of the cast seems to be bored in this thriller. Huey Lewis gives nothing close to his performance in Duets and everyone else seems to float through this like it is just a quick job.

This movie could have been finished off in less time and the ending is less than thrilling but it is worth seeing for the story and the performance of an up and coming actor with a lot to give. I hope to see Jeff in many more movies in the near future. He deserves to be recognized for carrying his weight with bigger names in a movie where the actors make the story.

It is probably a good thing that this movie went to video instead of theaters but it is a nice change from the usual generic formulas that we are used to seeing. Some thought went into the story and the characters.

There is something to watch here and it isn't a bad movie in any way. If you aren't expecting an instant classic then you may enjoy watching this movie and you may be glad when you see Jeffrey Dean in a great performance later in his career. He has the look and the talent to be around for a long time.