Conspiracy Theory (1997)

Director:

Richard Donner

Writer (WGA):

Brian Helgeland (written by)

Release Date:

8 August 1997 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

What you know could kill you.

Plot:

Jerry Fletcher is a man who sees conspiracies everywhere. But if you keep doing that long enough, sooner or later you're going to get one right...

Plot Keywords:

Nose Bleed | Geronimo | Amnesia | Woman Punching A Man | Distrust Of Government

Awards:

4 wins & 1 nomination

US TV Schedule:

Mon. Aug. 4

3:00 AM

TNT

Cast

Mel Gibson	...	Jerry Fletcher
Julia Roberts	...	Alice Sutton
Patrick Stewart	...	Dr. Jonas
Cylk Cozart	...	Agent Lowry
Steve Kahan	...	Mr. Wilson (as Stephen Kahan)
Terry Alexander	...	Flip
Alex McArthur	...	Cynic
Rod McLachlan	...	Justice Guard
Michael Potts	...	Justice Guard
Jim Sterling	...	Justice Guard
Rich Hebert	...	Public Works Man
Brian J. Williams	...	Clarke
G.A. Aguilar	...	Piper
Cece Neber Labao	...	Henry Finch's Secretary
Saxon Trainor	...	Alice's Secretary

MPAA:

Rated R for some violence.

Runtime:

135 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | South Korea:15 | South Korea:12 (DVD rating) | USA:R (certificate #35450) | Canada:AA (Ontario) | Philippines:PG-13 | New Zealand:M | Brazil:14 | Canada:PG (British Columbia/Manitoba) | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Iceland:16 | Argentina:13 | Australia:MA (cable rating) | Australia:M (original rating) | Finland:K-12 | Germany:12 (w) | Italy:T | Netherlands:12 | Norway:15 | Portugal:M/12 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Warner Bros. Pictures

Trivia:

All of the scenes at the horse farm were shot at Lionshare Farm in Greenwich, CT, which is owned by United States Equestrian Team member Peter Leone. Leone coached Julia Roberts through the scene at the end where she rides her horse across a field at a gallop.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Jerry unlocks the refrigerator, the lock is first shown in his right hand and he is turning the dial with his left hand. In the next shot, the lock is in his left hand and he is turning the dial with his right hand.

Quotes:

[about lone gunmen having three names each]
Jerry: I just thought of another one: James Earl Ray, the guy who got Luther King. Then of course, there's Sirhan Sirhan. I still haven't figured that one out. Maybe it's Sirhan Sirhan Sirhan, I don't know.

Movie Connections:

References "I Love Lucy" (1951)

Soundtrack:

Can't Take My Eyes Off You

Slider!!

This is a steady paced well made, twister of a drama, with sharply laced comedy around the perimeter. I was told by a woman that I worked with when this came out before I saw it, she said, "You're like Jerry Fletcher. That guy Mel Gibson plays in that new movie, Conspiracy Theory."

I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, but I went and saw the movie. I don't think totally so, but maybe some small similarities could be possible...I guess. So I was talking to someone when I drove professionally and realized there was no one in the back...so what!

The casting was beautiful, all the players were superb! The plot was right on, the twists, that would occur, here and there kept you guessing and hopeful. The action was brisk and well set, propelling and then slowing to a place of horror for a little while, then back 'on' again moving fast! No matter what the opinion of the average movie-watcher-Joe, Gibson always has a different feel. It doesn't seem like he is a movie star, more rather a real solid guy, it seems that he is who he is portraying. There is a certain style that he has that seems like he could be related, or someone that you would like to hang-out with and enjoy a beer. Julia Roberts shines in this. She cares, she is real and it comes through from the time they meet on to the departure and before the next meeting. Hey, there's a thought, Mel and Julia could take another 'pairing' of roles together.

This was a truly wild ride with a very different ending. Worth Gibson fan's or Roberts fan's time.

This is a must see if you enjoy a solid story with racy action and a wonderful plot that moves along and then slightly twists toward the end. Recommended excellent (*****)