Return to Sender (2004)

Director:

Bille August

Writers:

Neal Purvis (written by)
Robert Wade (written by)

Release Date:

28 April 2005 (Russia)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

How can you save someone, who won't save herself?

Plot:

While fighting for a woman who sits on death row, a lawyer happens upon new information which brings into question the motives of a man associated with her client.

Plot Keywords:

Death Row | Attorney | Capital Punishment | Free From Execution | Video Surveillance

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Connie Nielsen	...	Charlotte Cory
Aidan Quinn	...	Frank Nitzche
Kelly Preston	...	Susan Kennan
Tim Daly	...	Martin North (as Timothy Daly)
Mark Ryan	...	Mark Schlesser
Mark Holton	...	Joe Charbonic
Sara-Marie Maltha	...	Stella / Julie
Bill Thomas	...	Gubby
Randy Colton	...	Joe Hammond
Robin Brooks Sullivan	...	Mary Hammond (as Robin Brooks-Sullivan)
Madison Mueller	...	Kirstie
Eric Starkey	...	Hammond's Brother
Montana Sullivan	...	Hammond's Son
Brian Shoop	...	District Attorney
Michael Phillip Simpson	...	Johnny Decker (as Michael P. Simpson)

Also Known As:

Convicted (USA) (video title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality and violent images.

Runtime:

109 min | Germany:100 min (TV version)

Country:

Denmark | USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

USA:R | UK:15 | Argentina:13 | Portugal:M/16 | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Copenhagen, Denmark

Company:

Audley Films LLP

Goofs:

Continuity: The right brake light in Frank's Mustang alternates between working and not working throughout the film.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in About 'Return to Sender' (2006) (V)

Soundtrack:

Fire In My Heart

Well Crafted Film

A powerful performance by Connie Nielsen, well supported by Aidan Quinn and Kelly Preston. The plot holes don't really matter here, it's the psyche of Charlotte Cory, as revealed by Nielson, that draws one through this film. Like Quinn's character Frank, one needs to learn why this beautiful person will passively accept execution by the state rather than defend her innocence. Self-condemned, because she miserably failed her sister Stella years before, Charlotte seems to believe she can atone for her sins in a twisted kind of sacrifice.

Neilsen reveals with her face and eyes the inner beauty of her character, the sadness on learning the (false?) circumstances of her father's death, the meaningfulness of her relationship with Frank, the love of her sister, the hope of a new life.

Aidan Quinn provides a solid, believable Frank, the shyster turning hero, resonating with Nielsen throughout.

The overwhelming impression of this film is its realism, in character portrayal, settings, musical score, it seems authentic, even when viewed through the lens of a security camera. In contrast, the fantasy sequences are whimsical and far out.

The solution of the mystery is satisfying, leading to a good ending.