Letters from a Killer (1999)

Who payed the critics

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

I didn't expect too much from this movie which had no cinema release in the UK, but for its first hour or so it's a competent and original drama, and it just about holds you until its end. Race Darnell, played by Patrick Swayze, on Death Row for killing his wife, exchanges letters in the form of casette recordings with four women, each of them thinking she is his sole support. But one of them discovers the truth, and turns nasty. Soon after, his conviction is reversed; he gets out, and meets up with the women one by one, trying to find out who's threatening him. But before he identifies her, she starts killing the others, using the same method he was supposed to have used with his wife.From then on, the film becomes more implausible, and more gory. Also, though tension is first built up with Swayze going on the run, it's then reduced by cutting away from the action to show the Feds having discussions about who the killer is, instead of them simply pursuing Race implacably. A nice touch - or a digression, depending on your point of view - is a buddy-buddy friendship between Race and one of his former wardens, Horton (Roger E Mosley) who's a fan of cowboy stories. You're kept guessing until the last few minutes, though mainly because one of the characters acts irrationally, and the Feds climb some stairs very slowly! All in all, it's worth a look on TV, or as a bargain rental.

I liked this movie, because just when you think you have it figured out, your wrong. I have never seen Patrick Swayze do this kind of a movie; but he was wonderful in it. Showing us he is as good an actor as he is sexy. It keeps you on edge all the way to end. A movie you don't take a break in.

This movie had the potential to be a decent thriller, but it was hampered by only having about twenty minutes worth of good script, which was mostly used up in the beginning. After that holes started to appear in the story that one could drive a truck through. The movie followed a descending curve from good to ordinary to bad to ludicrous by the time it concluded. It's not recommended.

This film starts off so well and then drifts around to a disappointing conclusion. Swayze (whose boyish good looks have now matured into something more interesting) plays a convicted criminal on death row for a crime he did not commit (obviously). He conducts tape letter relationships with four women to keep him sane whilst wating for death or release. He is shocked to discover that some of the tapes were mixed up when he posted them and that one of the women send him back a tape threatening his life. All this is academic until Swayze is released from Jail and his name cleared. He now travels round America trying to find out who sent the letter.This is a promising start to the film. Soon after this however the movie lurches off the road of drama and becomes melodrama. The interesting implications of Swazye's relationships are sidelined in favour of action sequences and implausible plot twists and the direction becomes plodding and predictable. See it for Swayses' performance and the first 30 minutes, then see if you can guess the killer's identity. There are no tricks in this film, the director trys to keep you guessing but as the plot is formulaic all the way there's never any doubt in the end who will win and who will lose.