Watch Under Suspicion

Under Suspicion is a gripping crime thriller directed by Stephen Hopkins and stars industry veterans Morgan Freeman and Gene Hackman. The story is set in San Juan, Puerto Rico and follows the interrogation of a wealthy, respected and successful lawyer, Arthur Kershaw (Gene Hackman) who is a suspect in a horrible crime. The film begins with a series of gruesome murders that shocks the entire community. A young girl is brutally raped and killed, and several more female victims follow, all killed in a similar fashion. Captain Victor Benezet (Morgan Freeman) is a seasoned detective, but even he is taken aback by the brutality of the crimes. He is determined to find the perpetrator and puts all his attention into identifying and capturing the culprit.

One day, Captain Benezet comes across Kershaw, who happens to be the chairman of the committee that organizes the annual fundraising gala for the police department. Kershaw's behavior and actions at the crime scene raise Benezet's suspicions, and he becomes convinced that Kershaw may be connected to the murders.

Benezet invites Kershaw to voluntarily come to the police station to be questioned. Kershaw agrees, but only on the condition that his high-powered attorney, Henry Hearst (Thomas Jane) accompanies him during the interrogation. A tense cat-and-mouse game ensues in the interrogation room between Benezet and Kershaw, with Hearst hovering menacingly in the background.

As the interrogation continues, the layers of Kershaw's life are peeled away, and new revelations emerge. The story takes several unexpected twists and turns, and the audiences are left guessing till the end.

The creators of Under Suspicion have done an excellent job of using the setting of Puerto Rico, giving it a unique atmosphere of a tropical paradise with a gritty and realistic feel. The film also features a symbolic use of the storms and rains of Puerto Rico, creating a contrasting backdrop between the beauties of the island and the darkness of the crimes.

The performances of the three leads are fantastic. Freeman brings a thoughtful and insightful approach to his character, making him extremely relatable and likable. Hackman portrays an enigmatic, wealthy character, which has been effortless for him throughout his exceptional film career. However, the real standout performance comes from Thomas Jane who offers an excellent portrayal of a conflicted and emotional lawyer who is forced to weigh morality and loyalty.

The direction of the film is masterful, with the director creating a tense atmosphere that makes the audience feel like they are in the interrogation room, waiting and watching. The editing is tight and focusses on the dialogue making the film more of a character-driven story than an action-packed story.

In conclusion, Under Suspicion is a thrilling crime drama that is elevated by the excellent performances of its lead actors. The direction and atmosphere of the film are compelling, and the use of Puerto Rico as a backdrop is both intelligent and symbolic. It is a film that deviates from the standard crime noir and offers a unique and gripping perspective on the genre. The film remains a favorite among fans of the genre and the two heavyweight actors.

Under Suspicion is a 2000 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4 and a MetaScore of 43.