Deceived (1991)

Director:

Damian Harris

Writers:

Mary Agnes Donoghue (story)
Mary Agnes Donoghue (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

27 September 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

A marriage that seemed perfect comes crashing down after the supposed death of Jack Saunders, husband of Adrienne Saunders...

Plot Keywords:

Suffocation | Exploding Car | Back From The Dead | Faked Death | Housekeeper

Cast

Goldie Hawn	...	Adrienne Saunders
Damon Redfern	...	Maitre D'
John Heard	...	Jack Saunders
Charles Kassatly	...	Waiter
Robin Bartlett	...	Charlotte
Ashley Peldon	...	Mary Saunders
Beatrice Straight	...	Adrienne's Mother
George R. Robertson	...	Adrienne's Father
Maia Filar	...	Carol Gingold
Tom Irwin	...	Harvey
Jan Rubes	...	Tomasz
Anais Granofsky	...	Ellen
Heidi von Palleske	...	Mrs. Peabody
Stanley Anderson	...	Det. Kinsella
Peter Stevens	...	Ron

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Norway:15 | Argentina:13 | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M | UK:15

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Silver Screen Partners IV

Trivia:

This film was originally titled "The Mrs." and early promotional material (including an early version of the final poster) contained this title. It became "Deceived" because the producers wanted to further separate Goldie Hawn's association with bubbly comedy and they felt "The Mrs." didn't make the theme clear enough.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Adrienne puts down Jack's/Daniel's wedding portrait, she covers it when she opens the photo album. When she pushes all the pictures off the table, the portrait isn't covered.

Quotes:

Adrienne Saunders: I- I really do apologize, I wouldn't bother you normally, but I just have to have that necklace tonight.
Carol Gingold: No! She said I could have this!
Mrs. Gingold: I know, honey, but the necklace isn't a toy, and...
Carol Gingold: Daddy!
[runs from the room]
Carol Gingold: She said I could have it, and now she wants it back!
Mr. Gingold: This is very confusing for Carol, Mrs. Saunders.
Adrienne Saunders: I'm sure it is Mr. Gingold, but this happens to be a very valuable piece of jewelry.
Mr. Gingold: I know how you feel, Carol. It's very confusing when grown-ups do things that aren't fair.
[gives Adrienne a dirty look]
[...]

Soundtrack:

Kuini Ripeka

Thriller starring Goldie Hawn and John Heard

Adrienne and Jack meet, fall in love, marry, have a child, and live in a wonderful New York apartment. Then Jack is killed in a car crash. Slowly, things start to unravel for Adrienne in "Deceived," a 1991 film starring Goldie Hawn and John Heard.

This is a highly derivative movie concerning fake museum pieces, fake identity, and a double life, but it manages to be exciting and occasionally scary. As other people have commented, there are plot holes aplenty. Hawn and Heard are both marvelous in their roles, Hawn for a change in a serious part. She shows she's as talented a "straight" actress as she is a comedienne. The final big scene will keep you on the edge of your seat, and the climax of it is a knockout. This could have been one of the great movies if the script had been tighter because it is very well directed and performed with some excellent camera work and great music.

Despite script holes, I still found it entertaining. I wouldn't have minded paying good money to see it in the theater, and it makes a riveting rental.