Mike Church (Kenneth Branagh) is a private dick with an eye for the bizarre. After paying a visit to orphanage he accepts a case involving a mute woman with amnesia (Emma Thompson). Attempting to recover her memory he employees the help of hypnotist who tries some past life regression therapy. It's not the first thing I would've tried but hey, I'm not a doctor. Not only does this treatment work - her voice returns - we find out in the previous life she was victim of a murder by her husband. What's even more bizarre is she is the spitting image of the past life self, and her murdering husband looks exactly like detective Mike Church. Is this just a coincidence or is history repeating itself?
Dead Again is an old school psychological thriller. I say old school because, although made in 1990, it has the feel of a much older movie. Maybe it's because of the black and white flashback sequences. Or it could be related to the distinct 1940s noir atmosphere it is trying to cultivate.
The movie opened to much fanfare back on the day. Kenneth Branagh, who also directed, was lauded as a new Hitchcock-esque director. It was also noteworthy because this was one of Robin Williams first serious roles. He plays former psychiatrist who lost his license and spouts truths about reincarnation "it's the karma credit plan, you buy now you pay forever".
It has lost its shine through the years and I guess modern audiences might find it laughable in places. I certainly did. First time around I really liked it, this time I found it needlessly complicated. Then again, maybe I'm just becoming dumber!
Dead Again is an old school psychological thriller. I say old school because, although made in 1990, it has the feel of a much older movie. Maybe it's because of the black and white flashback sequences. Or it could be related to the distinct 1940s noir atmosphere it is trying to cultivate.
The movie opened to much fanfare back on the day. Kenneth Branagh, who also directed, was lauded as a new Hitchcock-esque director. It was also noteworthy because this was one of Robin Williams first serious roles. He plays former psychiatrist who lost his license and spouts truths about reincarnation "it's the karma credit plan, you buy now you pay forever".
It has lost its shine through the years and I guess modern audiences might find it laughable in places. I certainly did. First time around I really liked it, this time I found it needlessly complicated. Then again, maybe I'm just becoming dumber!