Copycat [1996] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Taking its lead from Jonathan Demme's Oscar-winning pulse-raiser The Silence Of the Lambs, Copycat strives for intelligence over gristle and carnage. It's a terse, involving thriller that swings away from the usual cinematic notion of violence as a means to an end by forgoing brawn for brains. Young San Francisco police inspector Ruben Goetz (Dermot Mulroney) is teamed with brilliant force vet, M J Monahan (Holly Hunter), a diplomatic, no-nonsense cop who must buck the system in order to find a killer who is copying the crimes of history's most notorious serial killers. Ruben would rather shoot to kill than merely wound a suspect; Monahan labours to help him think more diplomatically. Everything changes when crank calls arrive at the station from serial-killer pin-up girl psychiatrist Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver). She's been housebound for 13 months, ever since murderer Daryll Lee Cullum (Harry Connick Jr.) nearly made her his next victim because she testified against him in court. Though he's in prison, he's still mentor and muse to every loose cannon walking the streets--one of whom is killing people with a vengeance and hoping to finish the job Cullum began. Cop and doc team up to solve the case in this stylish, plot-driven movie. Though Copycat loses steam in the end, it still makes a point. And it serves as a cautionary tale for people everywhere, tossing in street smart warnings against victimisation. The teaming of Hunter and Weaver works well, the short and the tall forging a terrific and friction-filled relationship that leads to grudging respect. Establishing an ominous atmosphere reminiscent of his classic British TV miniseries The Singing Detective, director Jon Amiel has an eye for the dark and the unusual and it gives this film an edge that eludes most other mainstream filmmakers. --Paula Nechak

Customer Reviews:

A MASTERPIECE.......2007-11-26

It all starts with Dr. Helen Hudson(Weaver) giving a lecture on serial killers, little knowing that she's about to have an encounter with one. After her lecture is over she visits the restroom, and is attacked by one Daryll Lee Cullum(Connick). Flash forward 13 months. We see Hudson yet again, but this time she's confined to her apartment. You see, she's now an agoraphobic, having retired after that fateful day. At the local police precinct detectives M.J. Monahan(Hunter) and Ruben Goetz(Mulroney) are tracking a killer of their own, played by William McNamara. He appears to be mimicing the MO's of various famous serial killers. Hudson hears about this over the radio and calls the precinct with some information. She speaks to Monahan, who thinks it's a crank call. Monahan and Goetz pay a little visit to Hudson's residence, carrying with them photographs of the recent crime scenes. Hudson determines the killer is indeed copying other serial killers. A while later, an unseen visitor breaks into her apartment, leaving the dress she was wearing the day she was attacked by Cullum neatly spread out on her bed. Her home is no longer safe. Monahan and Goetz have dragged her back into the world she tried to leave behind. Now Hudson must help the detectives catch the copycat before she becomes the next victim.

Realistic in just about every aspect, Copycat is right up there with Silence of the Lambs. Comparisons to Seven are not unwarrented, but the plot here is more believable. A very good cast, with Weaver giving one of the best perfomances of her career. Hunter and Mulroney are also excellent. The film is provided a very tense and terrifying atmosphere, thanks to director Jon Amiel. It doesn't need to wallow in needless violence and gore, because it has what every great Thriller needs: suspense on an epic scale. The violence is kept to a minimum, but what it contains can be a bit unsettling, if for no other reason than because we get to know how the killer thinks. Along the same lines, Weaver's portrayal of an agoraphobic is perfect. You don't have to imagine what Weaver is feeling when she steps out of her apartment, or what the killer is feeling while he murders his victims. You feel every bit of it, which is why this film succeeds so masterfully.

Copycat is that rare film that comes along every other year or so that has the ability to pull you into it. It takes you on a most terrifying journey into the mind of a serial killer and the doctor that understands him. I can't say anything more, except that I love this film. Hitchcock would've been proud.

more of the same please.......2006-07-15

Saw this on tv one night and thoroughly enjoyed it. Probably the only flaw is the length of the movie as i found myself wishing they would get on with it towards the last 15 minutes or so.
Otherwise the storyline was interesting and gripping with a good dose of adrenaline pumping scenes too. The acting was extremely good, notably Ms Weaver as a criminal psychologist haunted by a previous attempt on her life who gets embroiled in helping the police hunt for a serial killer.

As i mentioned the main plot is the hunt for a serial killer where there is so little evidence that the cops turn to a psychologist for help. Unfortunately for them she has her own demons to deal with leading her to never leave her home, drink to excess and pop pills. Never the less she is still very intelligent and gives them lots of leads to work on. Soon the killer seems to take an interest in her raising the tension and the stakes.

A good film, one worth watching.

Copy That!!!.......2004-12-14

Ive seen this film a hundred times, yet the originality of it still astounds me. It takes real events and makes them up to date, every detail. Sigourney weaver is excellent as Helen Hudson, and what a character Darryl Lee Cullum is. Great script, great acting, great movie. . Buy it!!

Brilliant!.......2003-11-26

I watched 'Copycat' on BBC 3 a couple of weeks ago with my 13 year old brother, and we both agree that it an excellent thriller movie. I think that it is ok for under 18's but it does have some 'adult' scenes (I covered my brother's eyes). This is an brilliant film, and i would recommend it to everyone.

A powerful, gripping thriller.......2003-11-22

A powerful gripping thriller based on an actual event that happened many years ago. Involving a serial killer stalking and strangling his victims, two cops and a psychologist who tries to track him down before he claims more lives with his demonic style execution. Ironically the psychologist happens to be on his very list of victims he kills for fun, thrill and power. Fortunately the psychologist, Dr. Helen Hudson, has an amazing ability to predict when a crime will take place, and the gruelsome outcome before it happens. She also has an obstacle against her in a form of terrifying phobias and panic attacks which could threaten to wreck havoc on her crime fighting skills, putting her life and others involved in danger as well. Incredible acting and drama that is so convincing that you have to see it to believe it.

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