FX, MURDER BY ILLUSION

US, 1986, 109 minutes, Colour.
Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Diane Venora, Cliff de Young, Jerry Orbach, Joe Grifasi.
Directed by Richard Franklin.

FX, Murder By Illusion is a very enjoyable B-style murder mystery, conspiracy story. It focuses on cinematic special effects - and uses them to excellent effect. The film is the familiar conspiracy story from the U.S. - corrupt officials using a cover-up for financial purposes. The film is also a police story - with Brian Dennehy as the loner cop.

However, the film is a star vehicle for Bryan Brown. He acquits himself well in his own wisecracking laconic style.

The pace of the plot and its intricacies plus the special effects are everything. And well done, too.

1. An enjoyable murder conspiracy film? The importance of the special effects?

2. The title, special effects and how they work, the film showing the various tricks, machinery, technology, ingenuity, use? The illusions? Reality? The opening sequence as illustration of what was to follow?

3. The title and the comments on reality/illusions?

4. The range of cinema jokes? The titles of Rollie's films? The irony of actor Mason Adams portraying Mason (with Adams as one of his henchmen)? Tongue-in-cheek attitudes - especially towards gory splatter movies?

5. Bryan Brown as Rollie Tyler: the Australian in America, called a wise guy by the Mafia chief, his special effects skills, relationship with Ellen, love for her? The approach by Lipton at the studio, the interview with Lipton and Mason and his being taunted, Lipton's visit to his home,(and menacing him with the monster at the door)? His being tricked? Setting up the fake murder? The mask of the Mafia man? His agreeing to do the shooting? Lipton trying to shoot him in the car, the killing in the phone booth? The tranquil relationship with Ellen - and the suddenness of her being shot? His skill in hiding? Andy and the boat-shed, eluding the justice officer by pushing him in the lake? The chase, under the bridge? His disguise? The tricks with the phones? Getting Lipton into the car, crashing the car? Getting back the vehicle from the pound, the explosions, the chase and the use of devices from the movies? The invasion of Mason's house and the use of special effects? The gangster's pacemaker and death? Mason and his hand glued to the gun? Rollie playing dead, the recovery of the money and the deal with Leo? Bryan Brown's laconic style? Wisecracks? One man against the corrupt group?

6. Ellen, her role in the film, love for Rollie, her death? Andy and her reliability, help?

7. Leo as a slob, his being put off the Force, wanting the case, clever detection, help from the girl with the computer, the interview with Mason, tracking down Adams, the clash with Murdoch, the authorities taking his badge and gun, his shrewdly getting them back, his assistant and the car chases? The end and the confrontation? Getting the money with Rollie? The loner type - with the ironic final touch?

8. The police, Leo's assistant and the chase, Murdoch, the boss and, the argument, police action?

9. Mason and Lipton, plausible, the U.S. Justice Department, their covers, being unmasked? The gangster and the set-up, his rashness on the phone, death?

10. American themes of the Justice Department, Mafia, conspiracies?

11. An enjoyable B-film of the '80s?