The Investigation (2002) (TV)

Director:

Anne Wheeler

Writer:

Bruce M. Smith (writer)

Release Date:

23 November 2008 (UK)

Genre:

Thriller

Plot:

This TV drama tells the true story of a bungled and obstructed police manhunt for a serial killer who...

Plot Keywords:

Serial Killer | Prison | Jail

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Nicholas Lea	...	Les Forsythe
Reece Dinsdale	...	Teddy Boulder
Lochlyn Munro	...	Darryll Kettles
Paul Coeur	...	Olson
Michael Hogan	...	Ray
Duncan Fraser	...	George Karwaski
David Warner	...	Superint. Bruce Northorp
Shaun Johnston	...	Sgt. Sawyer
Coralie Cairns	...	Meryll
Michael St. John Smith	...	Inspector Linnehan
Hrothgar Mathews	...	Fred Coombs
Francis Damberger	...	Mosca
Joe Norman Shaw	...	Jack Crosbie
James Travis	...	Corporal Rick Harding
Rainer Kahl	...	Luke Baker

Country:

Canada | UK

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Company:

CTV Television Network

Very good if you want to see a 'real' film,but don't expect too much in the way of fun

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

Throughout 1981,in Fraser Valley,British Columbia,a man went on the loose luring vulnerable young people into his car,making false promises of getting them jobs in a construction site,plying them with alcohol and drugs,then abusing and killing them.This film follows the investigation into the killings starting with a tip-off from small town cop Kettles (Lochlyn Monroe) onto a state-wide investigation by Agent Forsythe (Nicholas Lea) that lead to the capture and conviction of the killer and the bungling incompetence and red-tape that marred it throughout.

The Investigation certainly makes for an interesting real-life story,but that's just how it feels:real life.It certainly doesn't succeed much in the way of fun.

As for the film's actual quality in itself,it benefits chiefly from a nice soundtrack (which,when you consider the many other ways it could have succeeded,isn't much to say!)The central protagonist (the killer) is an interesting character,but there's a disappointing lack of depth invested in him,although it is neat how his face is always covered up until the end.On the other fronts,Munro has a whiny lead presence that's a little annoying and he doesn't let rip and come out of his shell until right at the very end.Lea is a bit more dynamic and commanding,so it's disappointing that he doesn't come into the proceedings until a bit later on in the film.

The film's very obviously a video production.Some might say it's home's more at Channel 5 than BBC 1,but,there you go...

It isn't a film to veg out in front of,it's one of those ones where you have to use your brain and pay close attention to everything that is being said and inferred.It's a true film,very real,very human,but,unfortunately,that doesn't always make it very much fun.***