Director: Philip Kaufman
Starring: Ashley Judd, Samuel L. Jackson, Andy Garcia, David Strathairn
Running Time: 97 minutes
Synopsis: In San Francisco, police officer Jessica Shepard (Ashley Judd) is promoted to a homicide detective under the tutelage of Commissioner John Mills (Samuel L. Jackson), who has mentored her ever since she lost her parents in shocking circumstances. Now she partners with Detective Delmarco (Andy Garcia), and they start investigating a series of murders with one thing in common: the victims are men who have had one-night stands with Jessica. As she grows closer to Delmarco and attends sessions with a therapist (David Strathairn), Jessica experiences blackout episodes and starts to suspect she may be a murderer.
What Works Well: This is an engaging-enough psychological mystery, with a flawed but worthwhile protagonist grappling with more questions than answers. Ashley Judd is serviceable in the main role and receives strong support from Samuel L Jackson (confident), Andy Garcia (weary), and David Strathairn (thoughtful). Director Philip Kaufman demonstrates interest in both character-building and investigative machinations, throwing enough clues and red herrings into the grisly-past-casting-a-shadow-on-the-present premise to sustain momentum.
What Does Not Work As Well: Not much distinguishes the script from countless slick 1990s thrillers, and despite the twists and turns, the evil mind behind all the murders is not difficult to guess. The motive and timing of all the killings are at best questionable, and the final act stretches the limits of logic and is more frantic than considered.
Key Quote:
Jessica: Everyone who kisses me... turns up dead.
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