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Guilty by Suspicion

Name: Guilty by Suspicion
Genre: Drama
Released: March 15, 1991
Duration: 105 min
Rating: 64
Cast: Annette Bening, Barry Primus, Ben Piazza, Chris Cooper, George Wendt

1991

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Generally favorable reviews based on 23 Critics

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Guilty By Suspicion

Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. | Release Date: March 15, 1991 | PG-13

Starring: Annette Bening, Barry Primus, Ben Piazza, Chris Cooper, George Wendt, Luke Edwards, Martin Scorsese, Patricia Wettig, Robert De Niro, Sam Wanamaker

Summary: David Merrill (Robert De Niro), a fictitious 1950s Hollywood director, returns from filming abroad in France to find that his loyalty has been called into question by the House Committee on Un-American Activities and he is unable to work until cleared. Before being called, his highest priority had been his work to the extent of leaving hisDavid Merrill (Robert De Niro), a fictitious 1950s Hollywood director, returns from filming abroad in France to find that his loyalty has been called into question by the House Committee on Un-American Activities and he is unable to work until cleared. Before being called, his highest priority had been his work to the extent of leaving his wife (Annette Bening) and son (Luke Edwards) alone for months at a time. He initially refuses to implicate others or himself in a private meeting with Roy Cohn and a studio lawyer. This decision initially to stick to his principles first leaves him unable to work in his profession, even with films and producers he never would have worked with before. Harassment by the FBI leaves him unable to work on Broadway, with advertising agencies, or even in a small film repair shop. Finally, having fallen so far, and tempted with a new offer to direct a film from his old studio (if he testifies), he agrees to go before the Committee, initially planning to name his friends. But when confronted with the cruel and tyrannical behavior of the House Committee on Un-American Activities, he realizes that there is a higher priority in his life there is standing up for what is right. And in doing so, he inspires friends and family to do the same.… Expand

Director: Irwin Winkler

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 105 min

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Critic Reviews

100

San Francisco Chronicle Judy Stone

A gripping film that re-creates the fear, bewilderment and anguish felt by thousands during the anti-Communist witch hunt in Hollywood. Robert De Niro gives one of the finest and most modulated performances of his career as David Merrill, a famous director trapped in the miasma of suspicion that haunted Hollywood in the '50s and '60s. [15 Mar 1991, p.E1]

Roger Ebert

Guilty by Suspicion is about a period that is now some 40 years ago (although some blacklist members did not work again until the 1970s). But it teaches a lesson we are always in danger of forgetting: that the greatest service we can do our country is to be true to our conscience. Read full review

USA Today Mike Clark

Robert De Niro is so good as a politically blacklisted filmmaker in Guilty by Suspicion that even his hair seems right. [15 Mar 1991, p.4D]

Tampa Bay Times Hal Lipper

Cool yet engrossing story of Merrill's fall from grace for refusing to cooperate with HUAC. [15 Mar 1991, p.7]

Chicago Tribune Gene Siskel

Guilty by Suspicion isn't a bad movie, but it isn't compelling entertainment either. [15 Mar 1991, p.C]

Empire Angie Errigo

The pace drags terribly, however, and the period detail is distractingly off in small ways that become annoying. Thankfully, though, things perk up with a bravura finale, when Merrill finally takes the witness stand before the dreaded inquisitors. Read full review

Hal Hinson

It's not a new subject, it's not a subject that requires a lot of moral deliberation -- we know who the bad guys are -- and Winkler has nothing new to say about it. Undeniably, his need to share his feelings on this topic is urgent; unfortunately, it is much more urgent than our need to hear them. Read full review

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User Reviews

amheretojudge

Oct 18, 2018

to search under the sheets..

Guilty By Suspicion Winkler's scattered vision and fatal attempts of creating an art-sy factory, is a vicious circle that is self-obsessed on its husky bits that clearly isn't concrete enough to stand on the grounds, and fails to focus or even sincerely respectto search under the sheets..

Guilty By Suspicion

Winkler's scattered vision and fatal attempts of creating an art-sy factory, is a vicious circle that is self-obsessed on its husky bits that clearly isn't concrete enough to stand on the grounds, and fails to focus or even sincerely respect its crispiness. It is well made, the execution too is right on mark, but the script isn't gripping enough to withhold its audience for the runtime. The subject explored is taken granted for the most of the part of it, where the poignancy is manipulated to make you feel for the characters who are frankly undercooked and one-dimensionally displayed.

Aforementioned, the narration is neither gripping nor layered enough to search under the sheets, it is flat on emotional level that unfortunately grows shallow as it ages on screen. The final act, that actually is what Winkler has been building up to, is undoubtedly exhilarating and compelling but to suffer for art and that too to this extent, has never been the medium that the audience spoke to. De Niro is hands down, still delivering unflinchingly whether then be its blatant one liners that echos in your mind throughout the course or the tiny notions that his act is brimmed with that speaks more volume than the storytelling itself.

He is coy and humble, he is hardworking and firm on his beliefs which is all acted out in its last argument at which every hand of the clock comes down to. Benning, Cooper and Wendt (he is good but fails to steal the show despite of being offered a much stronger role) are supporting him convincingly although surprisingly Benning is underused and isn't given the appropriated range and space to factor in on the bigger picture. Guilty By Suspicion is actually guilty for keeping things mellow, no matter how loud and affirmative Winkler may sound, it certainly isn't that cinematic.… Expand

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