FRAMED

US, 2002, 90 minutes, Colour.
Rob Lowe, Sam Neill, Alysha Coppola, Peter Mac Neill, Dorian Harewood.
Directed by Daniel Petrie Jr.

Framed is a cat-and-mouse police drama. Rob Lowe is an earnest young officer. He had previously been accused of taking a bribe but was freed. He is earnest in trying to prove himself. During a holiday, he sights a gangster who is on the wanted list and pursues him. He is supported by the police, supported by his wife (at first, who then begins an affair with an officer sent to protect them in the witness protection scheme). However, there is betrayal in the police force. The criminal himself is a bon vivant with style. He is also playing the young policeman for his own purposes – in order to protect himself from a criminal banker.

As the film progresses, the bonds between the two men are strengthened. The policeman is tempted in all kinds of ways – but does not give in. Eventually, while the criminal gets away, he then does a good turn in order to support the policeman for all his sincerity (as well as being the occasion for helping him).

Sam Neill is particularly suave and assured as the criminal. Rob Lowe gives a good performance as the policeman.

1.The popularity of this kind of telemovie? Crime drama? Police drama? Dramatic interaction between the central characters?

2.The settings, holiday locations, police precincts? The apartment of the millionaire? The affluent atmosphere? The streets of the city? Musical score?

3.The title, its ironies? The police framing Mike? Eddie Myers framing Mike? The atmosphere of double-dealing?

4.Rob Lowe as Mike Santini: age, experience, the police force, the former accusation, his partner being guilty? On holidays, relationship with his wife and sons? His seeing the yacht, seeing Eddie Myers? Getting in touch with authorities? The support of his wife? Meeting Myers, being with him, all the interrogations being recorded? At his apartment? Myers and his trying to educate him in clothes, food etc? His dressing him up? The discussions about lifestyle? Mike and his family, the months, the witness protection? Finding his wife having an affair? Confrontation of the officer? The tension between the two? His being used by Myers? The issue of the banker and his arrest, in court, Myers as witness? Myers and his own schemes, selective taping of Mike, offering him the bribes? Pulling the gun on him, the escape? The police inquiry, Mike and his being justified? Myers’ return, the issue of the millions of dollars, the diamonds? Mike’s future – a man of integrity?

5.Eddie Myers, Sam Neill’s screen presence and style, affluent, food and clothes? His value to the police? Witness against the banker? The banker being returned and Eddie’s testimony? His selection of Mike, reading his report, trying to play him? The honest cop, not willing to take a bribe? The interactions throughout the film, official interrogations, the discussions? The bonds between the two? Eddie’s escape, his return with the diamonds, his observing what happened to Mike? His manipulating Mike’s freedom?

6.Lucy, relationship with her husband, supporting him in his work, with the children, the affair? Their future?

7.The police, the support for Mike, the suspicions? The double-dealings? George Adams and his support? Captain MacNamara?

8.The vindication of honesty? The interest in the psychological interactions of the two central characters?