A romantic rivalry leads to an innocent woman's murder. Or is it a hoax crime, part of a cunning deception? At City General Hospital, two young doctors engage in a move-and-countermove rivalry over Laury Medford. It may be more than Laury's beauty that motivates the men. Her father is the hospital's chairman of the board. Marrying her would be an inside track to the chief of staff post. Meanwhile, a senior hospital staffer, who is the mother of one of the two doctors, plots to enhance her son's chances, a mysterious outsider who says he knew the dead woman tails the two men, and Laury may be more than she appears. Murder? Hoax? The answer isn't revealed till the final freeze-frame.
Reviews
Best movie of this year hands down!
I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.
Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.
Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.
Robert Culp is one of the most unique actors/writers/directors ever to hit the seen... unfortunately, he's been so UNDERRATED as of late. His hit TV series of TRACKDOWN and I SPY launched his career and he deserves much more recognition. This particular movies echos his ability as an enigmatic detective on a case of a murdered girl... I only wish the hell it was available to buy or rent! Any suggestions? Robert! I'm seeing Bill Cosby in concert tonight... I hope I run into you--You're the greatest!
The alternate title of this made-for-TV whodunit is "Who Killed Joy Morgan?", yet that's far from being the only question laid down by the film; we are also constantly asking ourselves "Who was killed?" and "Who is lying?" and "Did Joy Morgan ever existed in the first place?". The twisty script makes sure that WE are never sure about anything. And if you like films of this type, this one is guaranteed to please you. A compact, gripping mystery with a competent cast - plus an early appearance by Kim Basinger, who looks more sensuous here than she did in later years. (**1/2)
This is a neat little film, that should satisfy fans of suspense/mystery/whodoneit genre. Since this is a 1981, made for TV film, the gore, harsh language and violence that are the staple of many newer films, are not present here. <p> Therefore, the writing, plot twists and acting move this film along. I was guessing up until the final scene. I would consider this film to be a "must see" for fans of the TV series, The Sopranos. Shades of Livia Soprano can be seen in Nancy Marchand's performance .... especially the dynamic between her character and that of her son.
The only reason I checked this film out was to see the "early" Kim Bassinger. That, and the fact that my TV guide said it was a "gripping suspense", and it was three-star rated. The rating must have come from the man who wrote this drivel because the only suspense in this movie was whether I would finish it or not. Robert Culp turns in what has to be the "disaster" of his career as a cop who is not even close to being believeable. At one point, EVERYBODY is a suspect, including a frail old woman. If you want to deliberately set out to watch a badly written, badly directed, badly acted movie...then go for it. It may make you appreciate fine films by comparison. I wish I had that hour and thirty six minutes back.
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