8/10
Surreal, not dumb
2 February 2007
Warning: Spoilers
This is a real undiscovered gem. The few criticisms posted so far seem based on the peculiar assumption that all stories must be taken literally, like news reports of real-world events.

The fascination of this well-mounted 'little' movie depends on the pivotal fact that taking over someone else's life would be a totally bizarre and irrational thing to do. What makes the story fun is our own unexpected realization that sometimes irrationality really is preferable . Goldblum's character is someone who needs to do something crazy, to break out of the calcified shell of his stable existence. If you can't identify with that feeling, all I can say is you must be leading a far more exciting life than I am.

Beyond some believably seedy locations (the whole movie is seemingly shot 'on the wrong side of the tracks'), Beyond Suspicion has several great performances going for it. Goldblum is perfect as the ambivalent impostor, not sure what he's doing, feeling at once creepy, guilty and yet strangely also more alive than he ever has before. Anne Heche is the perfect foil, very believable as a simple, lower-class girl with no reason to be sympathetic to Goldblum's peculiar activities. And Joe Santos (best known from The Rockford Files) adds a wonderful grace note as the amiable neighbor.

You can typically buy this DVD in the bargain bin for about the cost of a rental. Definitely worth the investment.
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