BLACK AND WHITE
US, 1998, 95 minutes, Colour.
Rory Cochrane, Gina Gershon, Ron Silver, Barry Primus.
Directed by Yuri Hertser.
Black and White is a routine police thriller - with a number of twists, especially at the end. The focus is on a mystery where a serial killer is shooting people in the eye. It seems that the perpetrator is police.
The film focuses on a young recruit, played by Rory Cochrane, a devout young man with a strong Catholic background (playing the organ in church, going to Mass, especially going to confession to a priest, Barry Primus, who is sympathetic and wants him to stand on his own feet). He is partnered with Gina Gershon, a tough policewoman with whom he falls in love. She is obviously a suspect for the killings, as is an investigator sent from New York (Ron Silver) who had previously had a relationship with Gershon. However, the film builds up to a melodramatic, somewhat improbable climax, when the true killer is revealed. The film shows the workings of police partners, investigations as well as the tortured experience of the young rookie who feels compelled to be a proper policeman and to implicate Gershon in the crimes. Average enjoyment.
1. The familiarity of this kind of police film? Precincts, partners, crimes, investigations?
2. The city locations, the scenes of the crimes, apartments, precincts, the church?
3. The title, the reference to people seeing things in black and white, too clear?
4. The focus on Chris O'Brien, playing the organ, his family background, his father, living with his mother? Going to church, the discussions with the priest, going to confession? His first day, the attitude of the officers in charge, his black friend? His being partnered with Norah, her initial appearance, his judgment on her? Their working together, her asking him to strip? Investigations, the crimes, the beginning of the relationship? His following her, becoming suspicious? His admiration for Mike? Hertsel and his coming from New York, his questions, the discussions, promising to help in the investigation? The problems with Norah walking in the night, her lies? The relationship, the difficulties, the police and interrogating her? His searching her house? The help to the woman assistant and her investigations? The build-up to the confrontation, his friend's death while he was listening on the phone, his being shot? In hospital, Norah coming to see him, his thinking she was the killer, his having the gun ready? Mike coming in, Norah saving him, the killing of Michael? His going back to the church - and his future?
5. Norah, policewoman, her going under cover, partnering Chris, the strip, travelling together, friendship, the beginning of the relationship, her falling in love? Her going out, her abrasive manner? Her relationship with officials, the past with Hertsel, his suspicions of her? Going out with Chris, his searching her house? Her being under suspicion, under cover, going to the hospital, her being shot, the truth? The background of her father's death, the abuse by Mike, the pattern of the shooting? Chris and his going to the policeman who was on the case and getting the information?
6. Hertsel, New York, police procedure, a suspect, his interrogations, talks with Chris, vindication?
7. The other police, the exasperated chief? The young assistant, her input, the discussions with Chris, her unofficially authorising the search of the room, her being on suspension?
8. The background of serial killers, police procedure, investigations? The church? The final shoot-outs? Familiar material?
