An
Oakland journalist, alcoholic and womanizer, is given the job to
write a human interest story about a man who is slated to be executed
that evening. The label on the reporter is that once he had a hunch
about the innocence of a rapist. He found evidence to get the rapist
free, after which he confesses. Now the reporter's "nose" tells him
this time that the death row murder convict may have actually not
done the deed. Will he succeed in finding the evidence to absolve
him before it's too late or is he on another wild goose
chase?
Most of the
way, the film proceeds at a snails pace, with too many scenes which
are pointless and characters that have no bearing on the overall
story. As was the case in Eastwood's last snoozefest, ABSOLUTE
POWER, the film desperately needed a half hour of scenes removed
which bog down the pace of the film to the point of tedium, and
padding is a big no-no in any taut thriller. The other major
drawback of this film comes from Eastwood casting himself as the
star, as it's difficult to believe a 70 year old man is seducing
every 20-30 year old co-wroker and wife of co-worker he talks to.
The film has it's moments, particularly when the terrific Washington
is onscreen, and also sports a solid supporting cast. It's
unfortunate Eastwood seems to be past his prime as director, and
perhaps even star, to the detriment to what might have been an
otherwise thought-provoking and exciting whodunit.
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