Copycat (1995)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Jon Amiel

Writers (WGA):

Ann Biderman (written by) and
David Madsen (written by)

Release Date:

27 October 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

One man is copying the most notorious killers in history one at a time. Together, two women must stop him from killing again. Or they're next.

Plot:

An agoraphobic psychologist and a female detective must work together to take down a serial killer who copies serial killers from the past.

Plot Keywords:

Serial Killer | Detective | Psychologist | Murder | Agoraphobia

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Sigourney Weaver	...	Helen Hudson
Holly Hunter	...	M.J. Monahan
Dermot Mulroney	...	Reuben Goetz
William McNamara	...	Peter Foley
Harry Connick Jr.	...	Daryll Lee Cullum
J.E. Freeman	...	Lt. Thomas Quinn
Will Patton	...	Nicoletti
John Rothman	...	Andy
Shannon O'Hurley	...	Susan Schiffer
Bob Greene	...	Pachulski
Tony Haney	...	Kerby
Danny Kovacs	...	Kostas
Tahmus Rounds	...	Landis
Scott DeVenney	...	Cop #1
David Michael Silverman	...	Mike

MPAA:

Rated R for violence and language.

Runtime:

123 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:R (certificate #34118) | Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 (cut) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) | Australia:M (TV rating) | Philippines:R-18 | New Zealand:R18 | Netherlands:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Chile:18 | Denmark:16 | Germany:16 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:PG | South Korea:18 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | France:-12

Filming Locations:

Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Regency Enterprises

Trivia:

The climactic bathroom scene took 8 days to film.

Goofs:

Continuity: When the gaffa tape is place on Helen's mouth when at her apartment, it is placed very low on her mouth. Later at the toilet it is placed considerably higher.

Quotes:

M.J. Monahan: Nobody in this department has ever worked a serial case before.
Lt. Quinn: Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, I have.
M.J. Monahan: The Zodiac, right?
Lt. Quinn: That's right.
M.J. Monahan: Did anyone ever catch the Zodiac, sir, or did he die of old age?

Movie Connections:

Featured in Shooting the Police: Cops on Film (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Murder by Numbers

Gripping; definitely _not_ a carbon copy.

Contrary to what several users have written, "Copycat" is _not_ "Silence of the Lambs 2". Nor is it a rip-off of "Se7en", or an exploitation flick, or any other negative labels that have been foisted upon it. Rather, it's a gripping, and largely intriguing thriller that succeeds thanks to performances by two confident female leads, competent direction, intelligent writing, and an appropriately foreboding score courtesy of Christopher Young, who's fast becoming one of my favorite film composers.

Sigourney Weaver hits the right notes as the agoraphobic psychiatrist, especially early on, as we see the depths to which she has shut herself off from the outside world, creating her own safe little corner. Holly Hunter, in a role that instantly brings to mind Jane Craig from "Broadcast News", is effective as the investigating detective. Hers is a performance that is three-dimensional and fully-realized.

If there's a weakness in the film, it's the ongoing beef between Ruben and Nico. It's a meritless p***ing contest stemming from one character's jealousy, and could've easily been dropped or retooled. This small gripe, however, didn't deter my enjoyment of the film.

Much credit has to be given to director Jon Amiel ("Sommersby", "Entrapment") for effectively capturing the atmosphere and tension prevalent throughout the film. In addition, writers Ann Biderman and David Madsen deserve credit for a intelligent, well-researched screenplay. No clichés here, just sharply-crafted dialogue. And Christopher Young's inspired score is brilliant; just listen to the theme that plays early on, as Helen calms down after a panic attack.

"Copyat" may not be classic material, but it's a strong entry in a genre that's too often consumed by formulas and gore. Highly recommended.