True Crime (1996)

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Perfect cast and a good story

Far from Perfect, Far from Terrible

It's not great by any means, but it's a pretty good movie that didn't leave me filled with regret for investing time in it.

RELEASED TO VIDEO IN 1995/1996 and written & directed by Pat Verducci, "True Crime" (aka "Dangerous Kiss") is a mystery/crime/teen/romance starring Alicia Silverstone as a Catholic school senior in California who befriends a police cadet (Kevin Dillon) to solve a case of serial killings of young women. Their investigations lead them to a traveling carnival. Bill Nunn plays the girl's detective friend and the cadet's boss. This came out right after Alicia's breakthrough flicks "The Crush" (1993) and "Clueless" (1995) and, while entertaining for what it is, it pales by comparison. The main problem isn't the cast, locations or excellent percussion-oriented score, but rather the script; and, more specifically, who the killer turns out being. With just a couple imaginative tweaks this could've been a very satisfying teen mystery à la Nancy Drew, but with considerable edge. Still, Silverstone makes it agreeable, along with the other highlights noted. If you like those other two flicks, this is a must.THE MOVIE RUNS 1 hour, 34 minutes and was shot in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, CA. GRADE: B-

This movie was a mystery movie and I love to solve things before the movie solves things, like cases, murder, etc. Alicia Silverstone has acted good especially when she was crying. And Kevin Dillon (also the brother of Matt Dillon) has been really good. In the movie, I realized that something was familiar with Kevin. And so I went on the net and saw the name of his brother. When the movie started, I knew Tony (Kevin Dillon) was the murderer all along. It was really obvious because of the way he has been acting around Mary (Alicia Silverstone). He also has been spying on Mary and following her. This movie is quite good, though it was a really easy case to solve. I like this kind of mystery movie.

I believe that this is the worst film Alicia Silverstone has ever appeared in. Makes her previous films like The Crush(1993) look like a cinematic masterpiece. Alicia Silverstone's performance as Mary Giordano is unconvincing and at times annoying. A bland Hollywood low budget film with a mystery that is uncompelling as well as tiredly predictable. Might have been a good film if the film director had put some creative energy into the story. The repressed erotic emotions of Mary Giordano never reaches a three dimensional depth. The worst of Italian Giallos is still better than True Crime(1995) and the best of 1990s Teen slasher horror flick. La Sindrome di Stendhal/Stendhal Syndrome(1996) had a similar serial killer-young police woman cat and mouse relationship that was more developed than in True Crime(1995). Bill Nunn gives the only performance of the film that makes the movie a worthwhile view. Lame attempts at plot twists that never surprises or shocks.

Alicia Silverstone is looking for a killer. The sick twisted type. See she's a big fan of those 'True Crime' magazines hence the title. Now I've never been able to grasp the interest of these magazines, but that's of no consequence here. It seems very likely a murder is going to happen and she'll naturally investigate. Along the way hooking up with a police cadet (Kevin Dillon) who's off doing his own investigation. They form an unofficial partnership and from there things proceed pretty much how you expect in these sorts of movies. More bodies show up, as do many suspects, including the police cadet, cue the sexual tension. Can you say predictable yet?The problem with True Crime like many movies is it has nothing new to say. It's watchable, but you've seen it all done before and to better effect. The premise could be decent, but there is no follow through. It's just another cookie-cutter thriller with way too many red herrings thrown at you and a scene that happens early in the middle half of the movie just ruins it all. I call it the "point of no return". Without giving away too much I'll say this: She ends up investigating a house and finds hard incriminating evidence in and outside the place. Then she gradually seems to forget about it. Time passes and attention shifts to other suspects but why!? Eventually we end up back at square one and yup you guessed it. The person's house which she found all that evidence at turns out to be the killer. Laughable.True Crime is just below average in the end. The cast is passable, there's a creepy moment or two, but the end of the movie is a joke. Unless you're a big fan of Alicia Silverstone or have lowered expectations for thrillers you should pass. Especially with the blunder the movie makes that means you can easily predict who the killer is going to be. Nevermind the fact that a 16 year old girl is smarter than all the police officers in town put together. True Crime this is not.