Dead Again

Great movies pairings ooze chemistry when they work together on the big screen. Actors like Gable and Lombard, Tracy and Hepburn, O’Hara and Wayne, and one couple, like Gable and Lombard, who were actually married in real life Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson – each of these couples had that elusive “it.” Drama or comedy and plot aside, they made their audiences wonder what’s going to happen to these two; we’re going to stick around to find out.

Directed by Branagh, Dead Again is a murder mystery/love story with a unique series of plot twists. It was released in 1991 when Branagh and Thompson were still partners, personally and professionally. Andy Garcia fans will find their favorite fellow playing a rumpled, charming, and sometimes dapper, 1940s reporter named Gray Baker who moves the story along and keeps a protective eye on Margaret Strauss. Comedian Robin Williams has a small part in this piece and proves he should be taken seriously in any role he decides to take on. Derek Jacobi, another favorite, is amazing in every movie, mini-series, or tv show he’s in and his versatility is essential to this particular piece.

One more thing….. there is a “smoking” scene between Gray Baker and Mike Church in a nursing home….wait for it because it is towards the end of the movie. I’ve been around a long time and have never seen someone smoke a cigarette that way….see what you think. Eewww!

Quotes

Cozy Carlisle (to Mike Church): You take what you’ve learned from this life and use it in the next. That’s karma.

Plot Summary

This movie is going to be hard to describe because I do not want to give any of the plot away – none of it. I hope you will trust me that this is a unique movie that goes from black and white to color and back again many times. It is part psychological thriller, part love story, part murder mystery – one you have never seen before and when it is over you will say – what an imagination, how did the writer, actors, and directors do that?

Here are some points to ponder along with your popcorn:

· Major and minor characters play dual roles so watch closely or you will miss them.
· Do you like the use of black and white and color in this movie?
· Robin Williams is a good actor.
· Scissors are used as a plot device and when you watch this movie for the second or third time – count the number of times you actually see them on the screen.
· Emma Thompson, Kenneth Branagh, and Dereck Jacobi have been in many movies together and it’s wonderful to watch these “old friends” interact with each other.
· Claddagh rings have an interesting history – a minor point, unless you always wanted to know what the crown, hands, and heart on this Irish ring are all about…and which direction you are suppose to wear the ring
· Look up the words, past lives, karma, and reincarnation and ask yourself “What do you believe?”

Life Lessons

Some times you just have to take a chance – risk makes life interesting and shakes the cobwebs off. I remember my husband and son had to TALK ME INTO watching the movie Speed – I thought a movie about a runaway bus, how good can that be. It WAS good; as a matter of fact I thought it was an excellent action adventure movie and one I would have passed on if they hadn’t persuaded me to give it a chance.

At our house we call those types of film fare sleepers, movies that are good, but for whatever reasons do not appear on our radar screens right away. Dead Again is like that – I spotted it on the preview “reel” for another movie we were watching and I wrote it down in my journal so I could remember to rent it the next time I went to our local movie rental store. I wound up liking it so much, we own a copy of it.

So what is the lesson here…..every once in a while, step out of your box and try something new…take a risk…whether it is a movie, a grilled Portobello mushroom sandwich, dance lesssons, or something larger like going back and getting your degree.

Here is the deal….

As you grow older, you'll find the only things you regret are the things you didn't do, but wanted to. So be bold!

Dead Again Movie Cast

· Kenneth Branagh as Roman Strauss/Mike Church
· Andy Garcia as Gray Baker
· Derek Jacobi as Franklyn Madson
· Wayne Knight as Pete Dugan
· Hanna Schygulla as Inga
· Campbell Scott as Doug/Actor
· Emma Thompson as Grace/ Margaret Strauss
· Jo Anderson as Sister Madeline/ Starlet
· Robin Williams as Dr. Cozy Carlisle
· Gregor Hesse as Frankie
· And others