Dead Again (1991)

A woman who has lost her memory is taken in by a Los Angeles orphanage, and a private eye is enlisted to track down her identity - but he soon finds that he might have a past life connection to her that endangers their lives.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writer:

Scott Frank

Stars:

Kenneth Branagh, Emma Thompson, Andy Garcia

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Supermarket Clerk
Robin Williams	...	Dr. Cozy Carlisle
Wayne Knight	...	'Piccolo' Pete Dugan
Patrick Doyle	...	Cop #1 - Hospital Elevator / Party Guest #2
Erik Kilpatrick	...	Cop #2 - Hospital Elevator
Gordana Rashovich	...	Handcuffed Woman - Hospital Elevator
Derek Jacobi	...	Franklyn Madson
Obba Babatundé	...	Syd - Restaurant Owner (as Obba Babatunde)

Storyline

Mike Church is a Los Angeles private detective who specializes in finding missing persons. He takes on the case of a mute woman who is suffering from a total amnesia and doesn't even know her name. She keeps having nightmares involving the murder of a pianist, Margaret, by her husband Roman Strauss in the late 1940s. In an attempt to solve the mystery about her identity and her nightmares, Church accepts the help of an antiquary who arrives to offer his services as a hypnotist. The hypnosis sessions soon begin to reveal some surprises.

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Plot Keywords:

hypnosis | private eye | amnesia | scissors | past life regression | 

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Taglines:

How many times can you die for love?

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

30 August 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Volver a morir

Filming Locations:

380 South San Rafael Avenue, Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,479,395, 23 August 1991, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$38,016,380

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures,Mirage Enterprises

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Black and White Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kenneth Branagh: [uninterrupted takes] Several such scenes can be seen throughout the movie. Also, the first hypnosis scene set at the Laughing Duke features an extremely complicated camera shot in 360 degrees. It involved a great deal of precise timing and technical know-how. Although a relatively short scene, it took 15 takes and a whole day to get right.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Roman Strauss: What I believe, Mr. Baker, is that this is all far from over.

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Crazy Credits

Jo Anderson and Patrick Doyle are each credited twice for their dual roles in this movie.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Lush Life
by Billy Strayhorn

User Reviews

Good & Bad Of Dead Again

I found a number of both good and bad things about this film, but that's because of my beliefs. Overall, most people, I think, would enjoy this. Here's a few brief comments, which I don't except will be well-received, but.....

The GOOD - It's always a treat to see Emma Thompson on the silver screen, especially when she plays her '40s "Margaret" character in this film. The most interesting character in here, though, is her real-life husband (at that time), Kenneth Branagh. Lots of tension in this movie, too, that keeps your attention.

THE BAD - The story centers around a total belief in re-incarnation, doing everything it can to validate those beliefs. Also, there are a few major holes in the story and there's a corny ending, action-wise.