Under Suspicion (2000 film)

Under Suspicion is a 2000 American film directed by Stephen Hopkins. It stars Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman, Monica Bellucci and Thomas Jane. The film is based on the 1981 French film Garde à vue and the 1970s British novel Brainwash, written by John Wainwright. It was screened out of competition at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival.

Plot

The police in San Juan, Puerto Rico investigate the rape and murder of two young girls. Captain Victor Benezet (played by Freeman) questions Henry Hearst, an upstanding lawyer (played by Hackman) about the crime, turning a ten-minute interview into a grueling interrogation.

Hearst has a strained relationship with his beautiful young wife Chantal Hearst (Bellucci). A wealthy, influential man, Hearst has become the prime suspect, but the evidence against him is circumstantial. As the city celebrates the San Sebastian Festival, the police captain brings in Hearst for questioning, at first politely, and then less so, as he and a younger detective chip away at the suspect's alibi. They interrogate him for hours while Hearst's most private secrets are exposed one by one.

Ultimately, he confesses to the crimes; just as the detectives are notified that the real killer has been arrested "caught in the act."

Cast

Gene Hackman as Henry Hearst
Morgan Freeman as Captain Victor Benezet
Thomas Jane as Detective Felix Owens
Monica Bellucci as Chantal Hearst
Nydia Caro as Isabella
Miguel Ángel Suárez as Superintendent
Pablo Cunqueiro as Detective Castillo
Isabel Algaze as Camille Rodriguez
Jacqueline Duprey as Maria Rodriguez
Luis Caballero as Paco Rodriguez
Patricia Beato as Darlita
Sahyly Yamile as Reina
Hector Travieso as Peter
Marisol Calero as Sergeant Arias
Vanessa Shenk as Sue Ellen Huddy

Reception

Based on 44 reviews collected by Rotten Tomatoes, 50% of critics gave Under Suspicion a positive review, with an average rating of 5.3/10.

The film was given limited release to only 19 theaters in North America grossing a total of $260,562 during its theatrical run. The film was also given limited release internationally grossing $752,783 in Mexico, $17,222 in Taiwan, and $277,675 in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Malta.^[4]

The film was nominated by the Mystery Writers of America for the 2001 Edgar Award for Best Motion Picture.