Welcome to The Neglected Motel, a spot the place under-seen and unappreciated media will get its second within the highlight. I hope you get pleasure from your keep right here and discover the lodging appropriate. Now, please sit and make your self snug. I’ve some misbehaving visitors to ‘appropriate.’
Watch the most recent episode:
TV films are one thing of a misplaced artwork. At one time limit, main networks would make investments substantial promoting {dollars} to advertise the film of the week. Nonetheless, because the introduction of streaming, the tv film has began to go the way in which of the buffalo. Although it’s all however extinct within the present leisure panorama, there are nonetheless numerous standout TV films from years previous that I regard fondly. I’ve beforehand lined a number of noteworthy efforts right here, similar to Unhealthy Ronald and Don’t Be Afraid of the Darkish. At present, I’m again with one other important TV film: Invoice Condon’s Homicide 101.
When individuals take into consideration Academy Award-winning filmmaker Invoice Condon’s cinematic oeuvre, they’re prone to recall to mind celebrated efforts like Gods and Monsters or Dream Ladies. He’s a proficient creator with a reasonably spectacular observe report. So, one could be forgiven for overlooking a few of his early profession efforts. Homicide 101 is simply Condon’s second directorial credit score nevertheless it reveals a degree of promise that may manifest in an enormous approach within the years to come back.
Homicide 101 premiered on the USA community in 1991. It got here after Pierce Brosnan’s time on Remington Steele and earlier than his tenure as James Bond, an ideal window for the up-and-coming actor to slum it for a TV film.
The setup for Homicide 101 goes like this:
Brosnan performs Charles Lattimore, a university teacher and creator. He has simply returned from a sabbatical following the discharge of a ebook he wrote a couple of high-profile homicide. Upon his homecoming, Professor Lattimore duties his inventive writing college students with penning an essay outlining the proper homicide. When somebody takes the task a bit of too actually, considered one of Lattimore’s younger college students turns up useless, adopted by considered one of his colleagues. Earlier than lengthy, Lattimore finds himself the prime suspect in a double murder and should work to clear his identify and convey the actual perpetrator to justice.
Along with sitting on the helm, Condon additionally cowrote the image. Roy Johansen takes the opposite writing credit score. The pair have dreamt up an intriguing, twisty story that features lots like an escapist homicide thriller novel come to life. There are many in-jokes and callouts that predate the post-Scream reputation of meta-filmmaking. Much like the beloved Wes Craven slasher, Homicide 101 calls out overused tropes within the thriller style, usually earlier than leaning into them. The movie even ends with a wink and nod to the digital camera that breaks the fourth wall. Should you get pleasure from that sort of self-referential comedy, there’s lots to be present in Homicide 101.
The teleplay for this homicide thriller is smarter and extra polished than numerous made-for-TV fare. Items of the narrative that you just may not anticipate to attach usually shock the viewer by doing precisely that. The movie additionally delivers ample purple herrings to maintain most viewers members guessing proper up till the top. Simply because the viewer thinks they’ve the whole lot found out, one thing fully sudden transpires.
The movie cleverly disguises contextual clues to present the viewer the knowledge to place the items collectively with out gifting away the twist.
I’ve seen individuals complain that the twist doesn’t give the viewer any of the requisite info to place the items collectively. Nonetheless, the contextual clues are simply very properly disguised. I received’t go into an excessive amount of element, in order to not spoil something. However I can inform you that Homicide 101 successfully units up its twist ending. There’s a plot level involving a sure accent merchandise that gives up a cryptic clue to the killer’s true identification. It’s not one thing everybody will catch on their first viewing as a result of a seemingly innocuous clarification provides the viewer purpose to forged apart the main points as non-essential. But, the writers explicitly included that factor to justify the ultimate twist.
There are a few different key indicators you’ll seemingly discover upon a second go to. As an example, there’s a fast-paced sequence within the third act the place a specific character arrives on the scene at a vital second. It’s not one thing the common viewer will probably be notably susceptible to query, as this piece presents very very like an natural growth. Nonetheless, the sequence to which I make reference is definitely a vital piece of the puzzle that makes full sense in hindsight.
Brosnan brings Lattimore to life with aplomb.
Twists and turns apart, Brosnan’s Charles Lattimore makes for a reasonably well-written lead. He’s a surprisingly dynamic character for a TV film, a little bit of a lovable scoundrel. Lattimore is the type of school professor college students idolize. The cool, relatable teacher that remembers what it’s prefer to be a pupil. He makes his justifiable share of questionable choices, however Brosnan makes the character so charming you could’t assist however forgive him.
Brosnan is the actual star of the present right here, however the supporting forged members nonetheless make a long-lasting impression. There are a number of memorable gamers that present up in smaller roles. Even the tertiary characters are notable in a method or one other. As an example, a pair of equivalent twins with Coke bottle glasses in Lattimore’s class has valuable few traces within the movie. But even characters like these two, who’re primarily glorified extras, make a long-lasting impression after they seem.
The ultimate verdict:
All in all, Homicide 101 is a fast-paced whodunnit with quirky, memorable characters and a hefty serving to of meta-humor. The flick is prone to shock you with a collection of sudden developments alongside the way in which to a stunning conclusion. Should you’d prefer to test Homicide 101 out, you will discover it comparatively inexpensively on bodily media by way of eBay. The movie can also be out there on YouTube.
That’s all for this installment of The Neglected Motel. If you need to speak extra about under-seen and underrated movies, be happy to hit me up along with your ideas on Twitter, Threads, or Instagram.
Categorized:Editorials The Overlook Motel
