Past Midnight (DVD)

Just in time for the Scott Peterson trial and the arrest of Mark Hacking, here's a movie new to DVD about a man accused of murdering his pregnant wife.

Originally made in 1991 but apparently never released on the big screen, Past Midnight stars Rutger Hauer as Ben Jordan, a man who was convicted of killing his 6-months pregnant wife in the mid-1970s. The evidence was pretty damning (he filmed what led up to the violent, bloody crime on his 8mm camera), but like most convicts he insists that he is innocent. Upon his parole from prison Ben is assigned to a pretty, single, and sharp social worker named Laura Mathews (Natasha Richardson). Their first conversation throws a wench of doubt into Ben's story -- he says he's innocent of the crime, but then his expression turns weird and he compares himself to Ted Bundy. (Both men were smart, upwardly mobile, and living in the Pacific Northwest when accused of murder. Washington State does seem to grow and attract a lot of psycho killers; so the dreary, rainy location is perfect for Past Midnight.)

Another wrench in the works is Steve Lundy (Clancy Brown), Laura's coworker. Steve and Laura once had a short affair, but now are the best of friends. When Steve sees that Laura is attracted to Ben, he steps in and tries to stop the impending relationship. Ben doesn't take kindly to that. Meanwhile, Laura is determined to help verify Ben's innocence. She watches the 8mm snuff film looking for clues, and travels to the town when Ben and his wife lived to interview some of the people they knew. She finds a possible suspect, one who threatens to kill her, but can't prove anything. As the story progresses and Ben looks more and more guilty, bloodthirsty fans of horror and suspense are thrown a few bones -- literally in the form of a severed arm, and figuratively in the form of some stabbings and slashed throats.

Rutger Hauer and Natasha Richardson have good chemistry in this film, and their performances and the often clever dialogue raise this spooky thriller from a C to a B. However, the cheesy, overwrought music (particularly during the sex and death scenes) swells to the point of such tumescence you'd think it's on viagra. It's very annoying and intrusive in several places. Overall, the direction is pretty deft (there are some good plot twists that aren't broadcast in advance), and the cinematography is solid, showing off the beauty and the dark appeal of the Pacific Northwest. Fans of Paul Giamatti will enjoy him a small role (his third, and the first one that actually gave him a name and a character).

Past Midnight is good, but not great. Unless you're a major fan of Rutger Hauer or Natasha Richardson, rent -- don't buy.

The DVD does not have any additional release material.

(by Staci Layne Wilson)