Watch Crimetime

Crimetime is a 1996 thriller film that stars Stephen Baldwin, Pete Postlethwaite, and Sadie Frost. The movie follows the story of a television producer named Bobby (Baldwin) who is assigned to create a program about a notorious serial killer, Raymond White (Postlethwaite). Bobby becomes obsessed with his subject and starts to in the end wonder if White is not the monster he is portrayed to be.

The film is set in London, and it opens with a chilling scene of a young boy who witnesses a murder. The boy grows up to become White, the killer whom Bobby is investigating. White has been incarcerated for over a decade but has been allowed to participate in a series of interviews with Bobby. While White is incredibly charismatic and insightful, his stories keep contradicting each other, producing a storyline that leaves Bobby confused and without a clear direction.

As Bobby dives deep into White's past, he discovers that the killer's life has been shrouded in mystery, and the information available to him is unreliable. Bobby becomes convinced that White's imprisonment as a serial killer is not justified and that there might be a more significant conspiracy in play.

While investigating the case further, Bobby meets a woman named Nicole (Frost), who is dating a psychiatrist named Dr. Paley (Geraldine Chaplin). Paley seems to have some never-before-heard information about the case and tries to persuade Bobby to abandon his investigation. Meanwhile, Nicole becomes an important character in Bobby's life, eventually involving herself in his personal and professional life.

Crimetime keeps building its narrative with intrigue, tension and intelligent cinematography. The film makers skillfully creates a constant atmosphere of unease and fear that keeps the audience engaged throughout. Director George Sluizer, who also directed the critically acclaimed film "Spoorloos," brings his signature style to this film. His use of camera angles, particularly during the interrogation scenes, keeps the audience guessing whether to trust what is being said.

The performances are solid across the board. Baldwin is appropriately intense as the obsessive Bobby, whose obsession with White gradually takes over his life. Postlethwaite is impeccable as the serial killer, whose dark and brooding persona is both menacing and captivating. Frost is charming as the enigmatic Nicole, a woman caught between two men.

The film is also notable for its music, which adds a layer of surrealism to the visuals. The ominous and eerie score by Louis Andriessen creates an unsettling, haunting tone that reflects the mood of the film.

Crimetime is not your typical thriller in that it explores complex themes of identity, truth, and perception. The film raises questions about the reliability of memory and how the media perpetuates myths about certain people. It's a film that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving viewers questioning what they had seen and heard long after the film has ended.

In conclusion, Crimetime is a gripping thriller that keeps the audience on edge throughout. It is an intelligent film that raises serious philosophical questions while also delivering top-notch entertainment. George Sluizer delivers a sinister, suspenseful narrative that keeps the audience guessing. The performances, along with the brilliant music by Louis Andriessen, only add to the overall tension and mood of the story. Crimetime is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers.

Crimetime is a 1996 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 58 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.6.