In 1949, composer Roman Strauss is executed for the murder of his wife. In 1990s Los Angeles, a detective comes across a mute amnesiac woman who is somehow linked to the Strauss murder.
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Reviews
DocTerminus
9
By DocTerminus
Kenneth Branagh's first film, **HENRY V**, was a critical triumph. But since it was a Shakespeare story, it is overlooked as high-brow. With **DEAD AGAIN** as his sophomore directorial effort, Branagh has a film for the popcorn crowd. If **HENRY V** was tonally like a Laurence Olivier film, **DEAD AGAIN** is tonally like an Alfred Hitchcock movie.
Filmed in 2 eras, in both color and black and white, with characters portraying multiple characters, a private eye, reincarnation, a fortune teller even a _femme fatale_ suffering from amnesia! Obviously **DEAD AGAIN** is a suspense thriller of old.
The screenplay by Scott Frank - screenwriter of **OUT OF SIGHT**, **GET SHORTY** and **MINORITY REPORT**- is taut and exciting. Branagh's creative use of camera and the thundering musical score by his musical alter ego, Patrick Doyle, marry well with that script.
Once again, Branagh carries the film in front and behind the camera. This time taking on 2 different roles, as does his one-time wife Emma Thompson. While some from his Shakespeare community appear in other roles, Branagh embraces his first Hollywood film by bringing on board American actors, like Andy Garcia and Robin Williams.
In the end, story is king in **DEAD AGAIN**. It is fun and exciting and easily one of the best films of 1991.
_"...two halves of the same person. Nothing can separate them, not even death.”_
