Watch Suspect
- R
- 1987
- 2 hr 1 min
-
6.6 (12,011)
Suspect is a legal thriller movie released in 1987. This movie stars Cher, Dennis Quaid, and Liam Neeson in lead roles. The movie is directed by Peter Yates and produced by Daniel A. Sherkow under the banner of TriStar Pictures. The movie's plot revolves around a Supreme Court Justice Henry T. Hurley (played by Joe Mantegna), who is killed in his car. The murder case is assigned to a public defender Kathleen Riley (played by Cher), who is initially reluctant to take it but later decides to represent the accused, a deaf-mute homeless man named Carl Wayne Anderson (played by Liam Neeson).
Kathleen finds herself in a complex web of conspiracy and corruption as she digs deeper into the case. She seeks the help of a jury consultant Eddie Sanger (played by Dennis Quaid) to investigate the financial records of the murdered judge's office. As they work together, Eddie and Kathleen discover a series of twists and turns that keep them on their toes.
The movie begins with the murder of a Supreme Court Justice, which leads to the investigation of his murder case. The police apprehend a homeless deaf-mute man, Carl Wayne Anderson, as the prime suspect in the case. But Kathleen doesn't believe he could have committed such a heinous crime and decides to defend him in court.
Since Anderson cannot communicate verbally, it becomes difficult for Kathleen to defend his case. However, she discovers that he learned sign language while in prison, which leads her to believe that he is innocent. Kathleen tries her best to provide Anderson with the best possible defense but faces a lot of hurdles in the process.
Eddie Sanger, a jury consultant, is struggling to make ends meet after being released from prison. Kathleen hires him to help her with the case, and together they uncover a trail of deceit and corruption. They find that the murdered judge's office has some shady financial dealings that implicate a corporation in the murder.
The movie's suspense is held throughout as Kathleen and Eddie try to find out the real culprit and clear Anderson's name. They encounter many obstacles in their path, including death threats and attempts on their lives. The director creates an atmosphere of tension, with twists, turns, and surprises that keep the viewer engrossed in the story.
The movie portrays the legal system in a grim light, highlighting how money, power, and influence can manipulate the course of justice. Cher and Quaid give commendable performances, portraying their characters' frustration and fear with conviction. Liam Neeson's portrayal of a deaf-mute homeless man is outstanding, adding depth to his character's struggles.
The movie's soundtrack is composed by Michael Kamen and is suitably haunting, which enhances the movie's mood. The movie's cinematography by William A. Fraker is also worth mentioning, with the shots capturing the dreary and cold atmosphere of Washington D.C. in winter.
Overall, Suspect is an engrossing legal thriller movie that deserves a watch. The movie has a good plot, suspenseful storytelling, and commendable performances from its lead actors. The film also provides an insightful portrayal of the legal system and how it can be manipulated.
Suspect is a 1987 crime movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 53.