The Suicide Club (2000)

A man joins a secret club for those who are seeking to end their lives, only to rediscover his will to live upon meeting the club's only female member.

Director:

Rachel Samuels

Writers:

Robert Louis Stevenson (short story "The Suicide Club"), Lev L. Spiro

Stars:

Jonathan Pryce, David Morrissey, Paul Bettany

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Pryce	...	Bourne
David Morrissey	...	Henry Joyce
Paul Bettany	...	Shaw
Neil Stuke	...	Captain May
Catherine Siggins	...	Sarah Wolverton
Terry McMahon	...	Pratt
Regan Hutchinson	...	Clayton
Eamon Glancy	...	Brig
Frank Melia	...	Thorpe
Eamonn Draper	...	Inspector Enfield (as Eamon Draper)
Pete Ryan	...	Constable
Seamus Feerick	...	Poole's Driver
Ger Consodine	...	Rude Gent
Stephen Wyllie	...	Angry Man
Stephen Holland	...	Duelling Man

Storyline

London 1899 - Devastated by the loss of his beloved wife, Captain Henry Joyce joins the highly secretive Suicide Club, a place where one can be ushered into eternity quietly, and without scandal. This highly secret society caters to an elite, decadent group of aristocrats. It is run by Mr. Bourne, who provides his clientèle with whatever last vices they desire. Membership in the Suicide Club is an irrevocable contract with only one exit clause - death. However, Captain Joyce begins to regret his decision after he meets Sarah Wolverton, the Club's only female member.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | independent film

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Taglines:

He didn't have a reason to live... until he met her

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2000 (USA)

Also Known As:

Game of Death

Filming Locations:

Cong, County Mayo, Ireland

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

The street outside Sarah's house is dirt in daytime shots but paved in nighttime shots.

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Connections

Version of Trouble for Two (1936)

User Reviews

Beautifully shot adaptation of Stevenson's tale.

This is very fitting in being a film from Roger Corman's company(New Concorde), as it is a low budget film, but every bit and more is up there on the screen. Beautiful shots and some great acting from all involved. This is a small film with no explosions and limited/no effects, but the story is interesting and the character development is sound. Rachel Samuels directs this piece, which is an odd film, but it has merit beyond most. A period piece is something extremely difficult to do, especially with little money, yet this comes across top notch.

We have a group of people who are deep in misery and caught in the rigid world of the Victorian Era. Their longing to end their lives for various reasons have been stifled to avoid embarrassment of their families with their suicides. They locate "The Suicide Club," which is a service to end their lives, and play "The Game of Death," a card game announcing a killer and victim for the evening. Yes, it may seem strange, or even absurd, but it is done well; and once the oddities are accepted, the film is intriguing and entertaining. This is classy work.

The score is wonderful and there is an awesome title sequence to go with the theme. I could reverse and watch this sequence repeatedly just to watch the card show unfold.