Date: Fri 29-Aug-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: DONNAM

Quick Words:

Playing-Gibson-Roberts-film

Full Text:

(rev "Conspiracy Theory" for Now Playing, 8/29/97)

Gibson's Latest A Good `Theory'

By Trey Paul Alexander III

Few things guarantee a motion picture's lasting impact as surely as a strong,

memorable ending. "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship"...

"I'm ready for my close-up, Mr DeMille"... "I'm having an old friend for

dinner"... All of these famous lines trigger fond remembrances of pivotal

cinematic moments. (And if you don't recognize the aforementioned quotes,

shame on you!)

Conspiracy Theory , the current hit film starring Mel Gibson and Julia

Roberts, could have been a contender in the category of enduring conclusions,

but, as director Richard Donner admitted in a recent interview, the end was

changed to a "less pure" resolution (one which does not ruin the movie, as

some have argued, but is undeniably less interesting). But enough about

finales, what about the rest of the film?

Conspiracy Theory marks the fifth teaming of star Gibson and director Donner

(the three Lethal Weapon movies and Maverick precede this outing), but unlike

their previous efforts, this film is less of a footloose lark and more of an

artful, edgy thriller.

Gibson, one of Hollywood's most un self-conscious matinee idols, is

terrifically manic as Jerry Fletcher, a jittery, motor-mouthed Manhattan

cabbie who inundates his apprehensive fares with knotted tales of conspiracies

and cover-ups. Want to discover the real catalyst behind the Vietnam War? Ever

wonder why you sometimes feel like you're being watched? Ask Jerry. Pay no

nevermind to the fact Jerry's tales are a bit out there and cannot be proven.

Then again, maybe one should heed the voices of caution and reason when

dealing with Jerry, who also has episodes of extreme delirium and displays a

zealous, bordering on creepily fanatical, fascination with Alice Sutton

(Roberts), a lawyer with the Justice Department.

Roberts, fresh off a fine showing as the anti-heroine of My Best Friend's

Wedding , is solid as the straight foil to the askew bearing of Gibson. Alice

tolerates Jerry's ramblings and grants him office time to expound on his

theories, but has precious little time to seriously entertain him and his pet

causes. However, her curiosity becomes slightly piqued when Jerry later

arrives battered and beaten, muttering something about veiled threats, covert

information and a malevolent man whose nose encountered an unenviable

incident. Her inquisitiveness becomes fully engaged during Jerry's hospital

stay when she encounters a furtive CIA shrink (Patrick Stewart, in a nicely

ambiguous performance), complete with a conspicuous bandage draped over his

nose, who is intent on seizing Jerry.

Conspiracy Theory , which up to this point has been a surprisingly stylish,

unorthodox tale, then takes on a very intriguing balancing act as it combines

the elements of a taut thriller with the weighty uncertainty of an absorbing

mystery. Does Alice truly believe Jerry, or is she frightened by him? Is there

reason for Alice to be scared of Jerry? Is the peculiar CIA psychologist an

ally or antagonist? Inquiring minds want to know, and director Donner and

screenwriter Brian Helgeland have a rollicking good time taking audiences on

this journey.

Donner does allow Gibson to inject his brand of wacky humor into the film to

help lighten the proceedings, but it does not overcome the dark, menacing

backdrop introduced early in the movie because Jerry has already been

established as a bit of a loon. Also aiding in the effort to set Conspiracy

Theory apart from other Gibson-Donner collaborations is the musical score by

Carter Burwell, which establishes a neat, neo-noir background to the

production.

Conspiracy Theory is rated R for scattered profanity (not rampant) and

violence (though not especially graphic, the depictions are quite intense).