PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
US, 1989, 99 minutes, Colour.
Burt Reynolds, Theresa Russell, Ned Beatty, Kay Lenz.
Directed by Michael Crichton.
Physical Evidence is a police corruption thriller, a theme very popular in the 70s and 80s. It was directed by Michael Crichton, science fiction author (The Andromeda Strain, Pursuit) and director of thrillers like The First Great Train Robbery, Runaway, Westworld, Looker. The film is set in Boston. Burt Reynolds is a natural as the suspected police officer. Theresa Russell is rather severe as the yuppie lawyer who defends him. There is a supporting cast led by Ned Beatty. The film is reminiscent of Jagged Edge (which had the same producer). An enjoyable thriller - no better, no worse that others of its kind.
1. Interesting and entertaining police thriller? Murder mystery? Court trial film?
2. The establishing of the Boston environment, apartments and homes, clubs, the courts, the squalid and the affluent? Editing and pace? Stunts, violence, effects? The musical score?
3. The grim opening, the would-be suicide, the discovery of the body, the fall - creating atmosphere?
4. Burt Reynolds as Joe Parris: ex-policeman, his story, the background, drinking? Contacts with the-police? With the murdered man? Reasonable suspect? His arrest, the clash, in jail? The meeting with Jenny and the clash? The prosecutor and his intentions? The court appearance, bail? His not telling the truth? The bargain and his cover-up story? The wife, the affair, providing the alibi? Harry and his links, the marriage? The victim's son and daughter and the clash?
5. Jenny as ambitious, yuppie? At the police station, wanting the trial? The reaction of the men? The pressure from her superior? Her relationship with Kyle? Lifestyle, work, hours of work? Talk, manner? Her going to see Joe, clashes with him? Wanting the truth? Investigations, the bar-man, the wife and her visit? The prosecutor and his offering a deal? The continued clashing with Joe? Her being tailed?
6. The prosecutor and his tough attitude, offering the deal, the barmaids, alibi' his tactics, performance in court, appeal to the jury, encouraging the victim's son?
7. Jenny in court, her pursuit of the witnesses, provoking the son and his outburst? His later attack on her and Kyle? Working with Joe, differences of opinion, the puzzle? The attraction? The visit to Harry, his story? The anger from Joe, being fired? The question of the tapes, going to the prison? Joe and Jenny walking together?
8. Harry, the prison background, clashes with Joe, the wedding and the alibi, his story and jealousy, his murdering the victim?
9. The prisoner and the contact, the deal with Jenny, the phone call, the attack and the murder? The tapes? Pretending his was still alive? Joe ringing up the suspects?
10. The corrupt policeman, the tapes, the violence?
11. The final setup, the violence to Jenny, Joe attacked, the confrontation?
12. The world of the police, stations, contacts? Corruption? Courts? The world of law and persecution and defence? Nightclubs, violence, money deals? The use of witnesses (and the driver made to tell the complete truth?) Picture of corruption, American society?
