THE NAKED FACE
US, 1984, 100 minutes, Colour.
Roger Moore, Rod Steiger, Elliot Gould, Anne Archer, Art Carney.
Directed by Bryan Forbes.
The Naked Face is an entertaining murder thriller. It is based on a best selling novel by Sidney Sheldon (The Other Side of Midnight, Rage of Angels, Bloodline) and the screenplay was written by Bryan Forbes (actor director, Whistle Down the Wind, King Rat, and novelist). It has Chicago settings and brings in the Mafia. However, while it is a police thriller, it is also a psychological thriller with Roger Moore, quite effective, as a psychiatrist. Rod Steiger pulls out all the stops as usual as the obsessive police inspector. Elliott Gould has a kind of sidekick role which at the beginning is deceiving. Art Carney has an excellent short character role.
While not outstanding, The Naked Face is competent entertainment.
1. The popularity of mystery thrillers? Psychological backgrounds? Satisfying entertainment?
2. The work of Sidney Sheldon, bestsellers? Bryan Forbes' drama, psychology? The adaptation of a best-seller to the screen?
3. The use of Chicago locations? The American atmosphere of the film: the city, affluence, psychiatry, the police, the Mafia, private eyes? The score and moods?
4. The situation for the psychiatrist: work with patients, professionalism, confidence, the keeping of records, dangers and threats? Murder and difficulties with police? Contrasting methods? Evidence, psychological understanding, motives?
5. The screenplay establishing the mystery: the initial murder, suspicions, detective work, the role of the police, Angeli and the link with Cortini, Anne and her mysterious role, the murder of the secretary, the murder of the private eye? The build-up to a melodramatic climax? The shock finale? Twists and surprises, clues?
6. Dr. Stevens and his work, detail, the keeping of tape records etc.? His ability to deal with his patients? The opening sequence with the homosexual husband and the suddenness of his death? His secretary and her murder? The pursuit of Stevens and the various attempts on his life? The puzzle for Stevens? Stevens as victim? Mc Greavy and his interrogation, treatment, hostility? The slanging matches? The past and Mc Greavy's grudge against the psychiatrist? The offer of friendship by Angeli? Anne and her treatment, erratic behaviour, talking about her friend? The mystery of her identity, relationship with her husband? The attempts on Stevens' life? His going to Morgan’s? An eccentric? The discussions, the clues, the leads, the telephone call, the discovery of his death? Angeli as the betrayer? The confrontation with Cortini? The implications of Cortini's deals and the threats by Anne's psychological revelations? The Mafia implications, the warehouse fight? The pathos of the ending?
7. The contrast between Roger Moore's style and Rod Steiger's? Mc Greavy as tough, his police work, in the cars, sifting evidence, visiting the snack bar etc.? The resentment towards Stevens? His work with Angeli and the irony of the police trying to get Angeli? The official argument and his officially being put off the job? His own investigations? The catching up with Angeli? The final shootout?
8. Angeli and Elliott Gould's nonchalant style? His seeming to be in the background, a red herring? A nonentity, seeming friendship for Stevens, friendship with Mc Greavy? The betrayal, the deals with Cortini and his being violently killed? A sketch of the corrupt policeman?
9. Anne and her type, wealth, marriage? Her coming for psychiatric help? Her talk about her 'friend'? Erratic appointments? Fears, phone calls? Helping Stevens? The warning? His visit to the home? The seemingly happy resolution ? and her death?
10. The film's portrayal of police, police work and investigation, corruption? Motivations? Personality clashes? Eradicating corrupt policemen from the force?
11. The sketch of the Mafia? wealth, plans, exploitation, violence?
12. Morgan’s - Art Carney and a skilful and quick delineation of an eccentric private eye, the initial encounter with Stevens, the deal, his work, his death?
13. A satisfying blend of mystery, interesting characters, plot? Psychological interest? What was the! meaning of the title?
