Film Review: Physical Evidence (1989)

When the opening scene is the most interesting part of the film, it is usually a very bad indicator for the film’s general quality. This happened with Physical Evidence, 1989 courtroom thriller directed by Michael Crichton. It begins on Boston bridge where clearly disturbed man wants to end his life with spectacular hanging and discovers that another man ended his life there, only against his will. The murdered person is Jake Farley (played by Louis Negin), sleazy night club owner and extortionist who had intimidated and blackmailed half of the city. Police find the evidence that lead them to one of their own members, detective Joe Paris (played by Burt Reynolds), suspended over disciplinary issues, known for bad temper and long history of the conflicts with the victim. His defence at the court is taken by Jenny Hudson (played by Theresa Russell), young public defender who wants to prove herself. She believes that her client is innocent and refuses generous plea deal offer by prosecutor James Nicks (played by Ned Beatty). Her efforts to prove Joe’s case at the court are complicated with his drinking and his apparent inability to remember what he was actually doing during the murder. On the other hand, Farley had his share of enemies and there are plenty of people who would have liked to see him dead. Hudson’s investigation puts her life in danger and things get further complicated when she gets romantically attracted to her client.

Physical Evidence represented the last film in directorial career of Michael Crichton and somewhat odd genre choice for the author best known as creator of “techno-thrillers”. Script by Bill Phillips, originally developed as a sequel for Jagged Edge, is quite weak and unimaginative, leaving no courtroom thriller cliché unused. For example, every bit of evidence, character traits and history point towards Joe being guilty, which any perceptive filmgoer would quickly recognise as proof of his innocence. Phillips tries to make things interesting by introducing a large number of alternative suspects, but they only serve as ultimately disposable red herrings with the least likely among them being easily guessed as true killer. This makes Physical Evidence look like forgettable episode of Law & Order and the impression is even worse by almost anyone involved in production showing subpar or mediocre effort. Apart from interesting and semi-ironic opening scene, Crichton seems strangely uninterested in the film, which, despite relatively decent budget, cinematography by John A. Alonzo and music by Henry Mancini, looks and sounds cheap and unattractive. Cast doesn’t fare much better. Burt Reynolds also seems uninterested in the role, while Theresa Russell often overacts and shows zero chemistry with Reynolds. Some supporting players show certain signs of life, like Ray Baker in the tragically underwritten role of semi-psychotic policeman with mysterious agenda, but this wasn’t enough to rescue this film from box office fiasco and well-deserved route to oblivion. After this Crichton decided not to direct any more, which, in light of his later literary and producing triumphs like Jurassic Park and ER, proved to be correct decision.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

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