Watch Guilty Conscience

Guilty Conscience is a gripping psychological thriller from 1985, directed by David Greene and starring Anthony Hopkins, Blythe Danner, and Swoosie Kurtz. The movie tells the story of a wealthy attorney named Arthur Jamison (Anthony Hopkins) who is fed up with his marriage to his unfaithful wife, Ellen (Blythe Danner). One day, he decides to hatch a plan to get rid of her for good and collect the insurance payout. However, he ends up having an internal battle with his conscience, and the audience is taken on a thrilling ride as Arthur argues with his alter ego who takes the form of a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other.

The story unfolds with Arthur narrating his plan to his conscience, who constantly questions him about his motives and problems with carrying out the crime. As Arthur devises his plan, we see him going through a wide range of emotions, portraying struggling emotions that are almost reminiscent of a Greek tragedy. Hopkins' portrayal of Arthur is impeccable and nuanced, as he leads the audience through his conflicted thought processes and gradually transforms into a more complex character.

As the story progresses, we see Arthur's deceitful plan unravel right in front of him. Ellen begins to suspect her husband of foul play, and slowly the threads of Arthur’s plan begin to unravel. It gets even more complicated when Ellen’s friend and neighbor (Swoosie Kurtz) starts to show interest in him.

The story is set in a luxurious home, and the atmosphere and setting are perfect for generating tension. The camera work is intense and designed to build suspense, lighting also helps to create an eerie mood, making the viewer feel like they are watching the events unfold right in front of them.

The movie is more of a character study, with the three main actors each pulling off magnetic performances that stand the test of time. Danner is the embodiment of the perfect spouse, but also has an unpredictable nature that keeps us on edge throughout the movie. Meanwhile, Kurtz breathes humor into the script and creates a juxtaposition with the tense emotional family dynamics that are playing out around her.

Guilty Conscience is a thrilling and suspenseful movie that keeps the audience on the edge of their seat up until the very end, with an unexpected twist creating something that is altogether satisfying. Anthony Hopkins brings out the best in himself as an actor and plays Arthur, a complex and troubled individual. The movie is a journey into the depths of a man's mind as he grapples with the conflict between his morals, fantasies, and desires.

Overall, while Guilty Conscience is a lesser-known film from Anthony Hopkins, its quality is comparable to some of his most iconic roles. The movie is an edge-of-your-seat thriller that keeps you entertained, connecting with the audience emotionally, and becoming a thought-provoking piece of film-making. Even after decades have passed, the movie still holds up, still considered as one of the classics of the 1980s.

Guilty Conscience is a 1985 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5.