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While it doesn't rank with such grim classics asThe Silence of the LambsandSeven, D.J. Caruso'sTaking Livesoffers similarly heavy atmosphere, beginning well before fizzling into absurdity. Freely adapted from the novel by Michael Pye, and set in Montreal (although it was filmed in Quebec City), the plot trades in several familiar tropes of the serial-killer genre, beginning with the FBI agent (Angelina Jolie) who brings her unique skills (and brooding, low-key demeanor) to the vexing case of a killer who, out of apparent self-loathing, steals the identities of his victims and lives their lives until it's time for the next gruesome murder. Ethan Hawke plays the killer's alleged next victim, and in a film filled with twists that grow increasingly unconvincing, Keifer Sutherland is menacingly cast as a shifty suspect. Caruso's previous film was the creepy drug thrillerThe Salton Sea, so he's well-qualified to infuseTaking Liveswith a darkly stylish sense of dread and at least one good shock to keep your adrenaline flowing. The second half essentially betrays the promise of the first, but there's enough going on to hold your interest to the end.--Jeff Shannon
So-So If you are an Angelina Fan or liked "the Bone Collector" then you will at least want to see this movie. I can't really say it is great and I can't really say it sucks, which is basically what I have to say about "the Bone Collector." I would say rent it before you buy it.
EXCELLENT OPENING, CHEWY MIDDLE, DUD FINALE Artfully done movies that go poof thanks to juvenile plots are so much more tragic than outright silly films. Taking Lives must've been among the most stunning productions of 2004, no doubt, yet it shall remain relegated to oblivion because it sets up a textured plot only to falter before the credits roll. It's almost as if the team was so busy finessing the product they ran out of time and shipped it before it was fully done.
Angelina Jolie plays a psychological profiler from the FBI called upon to solve seemingly connected murders in French-speaking Montreal. She works alongside a couple of cardboard cops -- one a tightly wound incompetent, the other a doting ex-colleague -- to come up with desperately needed leads. Enter Ethan Hawke, an art dealer, a witness to one of the murders. An actor clearly in full command of his art, he is fascinating in long monologues. As this happens, Keifer Sutherland lurks in the shadows on street corners. He has remarkable screen presence, I'm increasingly impressed with the man and hope he bags roles with more meat in the future, but his bit here is sadly inadequate, more of a twist than a role really.
On a positive note, the film unfurls with hypnotic rhythm. The acid-jazzy score lends richly to the overall elegance. You may want to postpone your dinner though, the murders are gruesome and the director doesn't wince in showing open cadavers. Which I thought was needless, as was an utterly skippable intimate interlude between Angelina Jolie and Ethan Hawke, tossed in for no conceivable reason because it is soon followed by an ending that feels almost like a different film. Cramped into less than 10 minutes, it all but kills the delicate cadence of the movie that preceded it, and it's as idiotic a finale as you've seen in recent memory.
Net net, the film may boast top-notch production values, but as they say: give them a strong last impression and you have a hit, goof it up and you're dead as disco. Taking Lives, for all its charm, trips and does the latter.Shocked at the negative reviews. I bought this movie used a very long time ago but refrained from watching it because I thought it would be another version of "Murder By Numbers" with Sandra Bullock or perhaps even worse. It took me a year but I finally decided to watch it and I'm glad I did. This is very much a mystery movie but unlike many mysteries it has a very good plot and the pieces fit together very nicely. The characters are realistic and the plot twists are believable and yet still shocking. I won't go into detail since I don't want to ruin the movie for anyone who hasn't seen it yet but I just wanted to write something since I don't think it's fair that so many people are bashing this movie. Not many scary movies actually scare me. In fact, the only movie I can think off hand that frightened me was the American version of The Ring.
