True Crime (1999)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers (WGA):

Andrew Klavan (novel)
Larry Gross (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

19 March 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

Plot:

Can an over-the-hill journalist uncover the evidence that can prove a death row inmate's innocence just hours before his execution?

Plot Keywords:

Reporter | Execution | Death Row | Car Accident | Editor

Awards:

4 nominations

Cast

Clint Eastwood	...	Steve Everett
Isaiah Washington	...	Frank Louis Beechum
Lisa Gay Hamilton	...	Bonnie Beechum
James Woods	...	Alan Mann
Denis Leary	...	Bob Findley
Bernard Hill	...	Warden Luther Plunkitt
Diane Venora	...	Barbara Everett
Michael McKean	...	Reverend Shillerman
Michael Jeter	...	Dale Porterhouse
Mary McCormack	...	Michelle Ziegler
Hattie Winston	...	Angela Russel
Penny Bae Bridges	...	Gail Beechum
Francesca Fisher-Eastwood	...	Kate Everett
John Finn	...	Reedy
Laila Robins	...	Patricia Findley

Also Known As:

True Crimes (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some violence.

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

UK:15 | Spain:13 | South Korea:12 | Philippines:PG-13 | Brazil:14 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA | Chile:14 | Finland:K-16 | France:U | Germany:12 (bw) | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Cotati, California, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Goofs:

Continuity: After hitting the truck, Michelle Ziegler's windshield wipers are shown as working. However, in the next side shot of her wrecked car, the wipers are not operational.

Quotes:

Steve Everett: I'll have a Virgin Mary... heavy on the Virgin.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Comedy Central Roast of Denis Leary (2003) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Why Should I Care

Slow build-up to a clock ticking climax...

TRUE CRIME is a sophisticated crime thriller that takes time to delve into its lead character--CLINT EASTWOOD--who promptly turns out to be very much like the Eastwood character we've already seen in a dozen or so films--boozy, insolent, direct, and relentless when he's on the trail of a killer or playing detective with everyday citizens.

It isn't until his newspaper partner is killed in a driving accident that his conscience takes over and he decides to pursue the case that intrigued her--a case involving a man she believes is innocently awaiting sentence in California's death row.

He pleads with his newspaper boss (JAMES WOODS) to give him more time to insert himself into the case and track down the real killer. This leads to a black woman who inadvertently gives him a clue he's been searching for and to their desperate attempt to reach the governor in time to stop the execution. Scenes of the state preparing step by step to begin the process are cross-cut with Eastwood's car chase to alert the authorities in time. It makes a smashing, riveting climax.

Basic storyline seems awfully familiar for anyone who has seen a movie from the '40s, CALL NORTHSIDE 777, all about one man's attempt to save a man from the chair whom he believes is totally innocent. And there too, the clue depended on a piece of evidence seen by the naked eye.

Eastwood's acting and direction is above reproach--he's fine and totally in control in both departments. In fact, all the supporting roles are extremely well played. Well worth viewing--and has something to say about race relations too.