CONSPIRACY THEORY
US, 1997, 135 minutes, Colour.
Bill Gibson, Julia Roberts, Patrick Stewart, Alex Mc Arthur.
Directed by Richard Donner.
Mel Gibson joins with a favourite director, Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon series and Maverick) as a frantic cab-driver in New York City, a non-stop gabbler of crazy hypotheses. How he got that way is a conspiracy theory in itself. Behind it all is a sinister Patrick Stewart who runs a group of brainwashed assassins. Desperate Mel has a crush on lawyer Julia Roberts and eventually persuades her to help him - which doesn't make life any easier for her.
The screenplay was written by Brian Helgeland, who directed Mel Gibson in Payback. He also wrote LA Confidential and Mystic River and directed A Knight’s Tale as well as the story of the Kray Brothers, Legend.
It's a mixum gatherum of action, thriller and Mel Gibson's ironic and punning humour. The role is a challenge for him in interpreting such an offbeat character but his acting tends to set us on edge rather than entertain. Holes galore in the plot. Entertaining enough its way but soon forgotten.
1. 1990s thriller? Serious, conspiracies, mind games, authorities?
2. The city settings, the opening with the taxi rides, Jerry and his strange apartment, the articles and posters, photos? Offices, security, executives? Torture areas? Chases? Old warehouses, mental institutions? The change in going to the countryside, the horses? Atmosphere for a thriller? The use of the theme: You’re too good to be true?
3. The cast, Julia Roberts in the 90s, Mel Gibson the 90s, his work with director, Richard Donner, Patrick Stewart as villain?
4. The introduction to Jerry, his continued babbling, discussing the variety of theories, conspiracies, with his passengers, endangering them with his preoccupation and driving? The collage of his memories and his confusion?
5. Alice, the death of her father, the mystery not solved, her work in the office, her superiors? Jerry coming to see her, her hiding, then going out, talking frankly with him, the bonds between them? His continued patter, all his theories? His devotion to her?
6. Jerry picked up, the interrogation, the injections, with Dr Jonas, Jerry biting his nose? Escaping?
7. Jonas, coming to the office, the bandage on his nose, Alice being alerted? Going to Jerry’s home, his explanations, his magazine, circulation, limited readership?
8. The role of the police, the FBI, agent Lowry and the questions, in the car, trying to protect Alice?
9. Being taken by Jonas, his threats, his role, government, the training of assassins, chemical procedures, brainwishing?
10. The long close-up discussion between Alice and Jerry, his explanation of what happened to him, about her father, his not being responsible, his trying to protect Alice?
11. Jerry captured, interned in the abandoned building, Alice going to the institution, the voice contact with Jerry, going to rescue him, Agent Lowry and his intervention, Jerry and his struggle with Jonas, Jonas drowning?
12. Jerry, being shot? The effect on Alice? Her speaking with wounded Jerry? Going to the cemetery? Jerry, recovered, with Agent Lowry, going to the cemetery, the reconciliation with Alice?
