THE JANUARY MAN

US, 1989, 97 minutes, Colour.
Kevin Kline, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Alan Rickman, Susan Sarandon, Harvey Keitel, Rod Steiger, Danny Aiello.
Directed by Pat O' Connor.

The January Man is an eccentric murder mystery written by John Patrick Shanley, Oscar winner for Moonstruck. It stars Kevin Kline, giving one of his hyperkinetic performances as a detective who doesn't fit into the, New York mould. His performance resembles that in A Fish Called Wanda. He lis matched by Harvey Keitel as his brother, the New York Commissioner, and Rod Steiger shouts as usual as the Mayor. Susan Sarandon has a smaller role as Keitel's wife and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio is an effective leading lady. Stage actor Alan Rickman (the villain in Die Hard) is excellent as an oddball painter.

However, the film does not always work. The clues are stretched, the investigation by computer seems farfetched. However, the liveliness of the performances helps the film keep going. Direction is by Irishman Pat O' Connor (Cal, A Month in the Country) who made his American directing debut with Stars and Bars.

1. Interesting and enjoyable murder mystery? American and New York style? Eccentric?

2. New York locations and the plot, the buildings and the windows? New York style? Murder mystery score?

3. The quality of-the mystery, the crimes, the clues, investigation, computer work, the stars and signs, music, the solution?.

4. The title? The contribution of the months, the star signs, the Calendar Girl song, the month?

5. The initial murder, the atmosphere, New York, the police, the Mayor and their concern? Public opinion and fear?

6. Rod Steiger as the Mayor: loud, politics, his relationship with Frank, wanting Nick back, press conferences, hard talking and shouting? His possessiveness of Bernadette yet warning her off dangers for politics? The irony of the cheque and Nick's dismissal?

7. Frank and his love for power, the press blaming him, relationship with the Mayor, the interview about reinstating Nick, his relationship with Christine, the ballet and society? Her being Nick's woman? His attempts to solve the mystery, crass style, the ending and the nature of the cheque? Nick being blamed for his bribes? Rivalry with his brother, Nick's comment about their mother's love for them?

8. Kevin Kline's style as Nick, the heroics with the fire, eccentric manner, accepting the commission, inviting Christine to the meal and the odd food, the question of the cheque? Relationship with Ed, getting his help? The police chief and their personality clashes, his new office, the decorations, the computer? Attending the funeral, questions, Bernadette and the skating, talking together, sexual liaison? Her staying at his apartment? Clever, following the clues? The admiration of the police? Asking the chief for help? The murder on the wrong night? The plan of the buildings, the windows, the planetarium and the star signs, the music, the Calendar Girl song? His plan with Bernadette and getting the back-up? The solution? His character and the eccentric policeman, the individual?

9. Bernadette, her friend, the death, the Mayor's daughter, her grief at the funeral, going skating, the meeting with Nick, the liaison, helping him, the investigations, her father's warning her off, participation in the plan to catch the murderer, its dangers?

10. Christine, high society, the ballet, the dinner with Nick and looking at the photos, the comments on the wine, the clash with Bernadette, her decision to leave Frank, at the scene of the crime, the farewell to Nick?

11. The police chief and his position, the pressure from the Mayor and from Frank, his dislike of Nick, dislike of police corruption, admiration for Nick's work, agreeing to the back-up? The members of the force?

12. Ed and his art, painting, eccentric style, genius, with the computers, his talent in getting information and clues? Participation in the catching of the criminal? The intended victim and her fainting?

13. The January Man himself, the reflections on his motives, an ordinary individual and anonymous?

14. Crime thriller, heroics, city corruption, the individual, tongue-in-cheek humour?