Dead Again (1991)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writer (WGA):

Scott Frank (written by)

Release Date:

23 August 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

Tagline:

How many times can you die for love?

Plot:

Mike Church is a Los Angeles private detective who specialises in finding missing persons. He takes on the case of a mystery woman who he calls Grace...

Plot Keywords:

Church | Murder | Strauss | Hypnosis | Private

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 4 nominations

Cast

Kenneth Branagh	...	Roman Strauss / Mike Church
Andy Garcia	...	Gray Baker
Emma Thompson	...	Grace / Margaret Strauss
Lois Hall	...	Sister Constance
Richard Easton	...	Father Timothy
Jo Anderson	...	Sister Madeleine / Starlet
Patrick Montes	...	Pickup Driver
Raymond Cruz	...	Clerk
Robin Williams	...	Doctor Cozy Carlisle
Wayne Knight	...	'Piccolo' Pete Dugan
Patrick Doyle	...	Policeman in lift
Erik Kilpatrick	...	Cop #2
Gordana Rashovich	...	Handcuffed Woman
Derek Jacobi	...	Franklyn Madson
Obba Babatundé	...	Syd (as Obba Babatunde)

Runtime:

107 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | Finland:K-16 | Germany:12 | Spain:13 | Sweden:15 | UK:15 | USA:R | Argentina:13 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

380 South San Rafael Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Company:

Mirage

Trivia:

Hanna Schygulla played Derek Jacobi's mother, even though she was five years younger than him in real life.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: The address on the driver's license Pete gives "Grace" has one street number on Hightower, then later, when Mike Church kicks in her door, the *real* address of the actual Hightower residence is on the exterior wall beside the door.

Quotes:

Franklyn Madson: Actually, I'm a hypnotist.
Mike Church: OK, here's the water, there's the door, sorry about the stairs.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saturday Night Live: Jeff Goldblum/Aerosmith (#19.3)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Overlooked Branagh Gem

I didn't catch this one until it hit a discount theatre in Miami Beach, but I'm glad I did. Whatever the status of Branagh and Thompson's relationship at the time, they project a fantastic chemistry as lovers karmically doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over again, or so we are led to believe. Branagh has a fantastic directorial sense, honed in his years with Shakespearian theatre, and the intertwining of black-and white and colour footage to evoke different time periods works to great effect. Supporting players Derek Jacobi, Robin Williams, and Andy Garcia put in excellent performances, and the serviceable plot is made transcendant by this fine group of actors. Although some of the gore is a bit heavy, it doesn't overwhelm the story, something Branagh learned no doubt from the films of Alfred Hitchcock, and like the works of Hitchcock, even after the mystery is finally sorted out, the film continues to reward with repeat viewings. So, if the last copy of Blair Witch is out, and you're looking for a bit of suspense that isn't all blood and guts, give this one a try. You'll feel enlightened.