A Perfect Murder (DVD, 1998)

This 1998 film which was inspired by the Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 film "Dial M for Murder" shows just how messed up people get when money and control of it enter into the picture.

As we soon discover, Emily Bradford (Gwyneth Paltrow) is a well learned society daughter who is married to the seemingly successful Steven Taylor (Micheal Douglas). Although we are not truly aware of the family fortune Emily is soon to inherit as the heiress to a huge family fortune, we soon find the couple deceiving on another and start to realize that all is not right here. Steven soon becomes aware of Emily's extra-marital affair with David (Viggo Mortenson) who seems to be a successful artist since he has an art show.

Steven confronts David about there affair and makes a proposal to him for money. He assumes that David is the perfect guy to do the dirty work which is to kill his wife while he is at a card game. Things go desperately wrong, when Emily kills the intruder with an ice pick. It turns out that Steven had hired someone else to do the job. Steven has to back peddle to try and cover up his involvement and David gets more insistent for more money. Sticking around to the end is well worth the effort, since we find many lies, twists, and turns for the big prize waiting for the luckiest and most astute person. I will not divulge to you who that is going to be, but you could probably guess.

I'll give this film a 4/5 for is suspenseful nature and well thought out screenplay.

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This movie has all the ingredients for a suspenseful mystery. Based on the play "Dial M for Murder", this movie goes further than the Grace Kelly-Ray Milland movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Emily Taylor (Gwyneth Paltrow) is having an affair with David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen), which she thinks that her husband Stephen Taylor (Michael Douglas) is unaware of. But he is aware. In fact, he goes to David's apartment and threatens him with exposure or else to kill his wife. But unexpectedly, Emily kills the intruder--not David--with a meat thermometer straight through the neck.

This is really the beginning of the mystery. We know all the particulars, but we don't know how it will all unravel. That is the main focus of this movie, as Emily discovers that her apartment key doesn't work, as David tries to blackmail Stephen, as Stephen exposes David as a criminal with a long rap sheet, and much more.

You will sit on the edge of your seat as the music blares when something happens. The movie is easy to watch too as everything is lush and photographed so nicely in New York. (You can even see the twin towers as they existed before 911).

This movie is very much worth the ride, and you will be surprised even more by the ending. Both of the struggle scenes with Miss Paltrow do seem a bit overdone, and it would seem that she would be overcome as little as she is. But overlooking that, this is a great movie if you like suspense.

This movie was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 film, "Dial M for Murder". Of course it's been modified for current times. The director did a brilliant job of making the film have the same feelings that Hitchcock's evoked in all of his movies...you are surprised at every turn. Like Hitchcock's work, the movie builds the suspense and the ending will make you wonder, "who was working who?"

Great actors, direction, screenplay and editing. If you like suspense thriller movies, this one won’t disappoint you.

A very engrossing film. Strong story with good acting by Paltrow and Douglas. I really love Paltrow, she is able to portray strength and vulnerability and do it beautifully. Douglas is good as the devious husband. I don't want to give away the suspense so I'll stop here. Great movie.

This movie is full of plot twists and turns with a lot of surprises and suspense. It really keeps you guessing until the end! Michael Douglas is great - the way he portrays his creepy character gives me chills. Glad I bought it.