Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Conspiracy Theory (1997)

"A good conspiracy is an unprovable one. I mean, if you can prove it, it means they screwed up somewhere along the line." Jerry Fletcher

"Just because you are paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you" is the message offered by Conspiracy Theory, a crackerjack film collaboration between Mel Gibson and Richard Donner (Lethal Weapon). Conspiracy Theory is their best work yet, with the script playing to Mel's acting strengths - acting slightly crazy and subtly humorous at the same time. Donner and Gibson were even able to coax a little bit of warmth out of the usually frosty Julia Roberts, which is a big plus.

Gibson plays NYC cabbie Jerry Fletcher, a man who sees conspiracies at every turn and doesn't mind telling his incredulous passengers about them. His home life is just as bizarre with a fortified apartment with locks on everything, including the refrigerator and food containers. One of his obsessions is a federal attorney Alice Sutton (Julia Roberts -Pretty Woman) who plays straight man to Gibson's seemingly delusional, but nonetheless correct, Jerry.

After a meeting with Roberts at the Justice Department, Gibson is kidnapped and treated to a torture - interrogation scene that will make your skin crawl. After escaping from his tormentors, he goes back to see Alice, gets captured and finds himself handcuffed to a bed in the hospital. He begs Alice to switch the charts with another patient or he will be dead by morning. Although they cut the scene before they show Alice's reaction, it is apparent she did as the young person in the next bed is pronounced dead of a heart attack the next morning. In the confusion Jerry escapes and Alice notices some of the things he told her are true.

When she finally gets to leave the hospital after a fruitless search for the fugitive she finds Jerry hiding in her car. He proves to her she is being tailed and shows her a few other things that begin to prove to her he may actually be telling the truth. By the time she catches on, however, she is also a target. It makes for compelling viewing watching how the plot resolves itself.

From a story by Brian Helgeland LA Confidential, Payback), the script provides Mel Gibson a chance to shine at what he does best, comedy punctuated with action. But overlooking the mugging and slapstick, listen to the dialog: Mel actually puts on a great performance with the fits and starts, pregnant pauses, and confused ramblings he invests his character with. There is real emotion and pacing behind the words and it's a pity that Gibson has been wasted so often in lesser roles. Jerry Fletcher is a character worthy of a great actor and Mel comes through in spades. Julia Roberts, in her best performance since Pretty Woman, comes in with a strong performance as the tough-minded attorney that slowly begins to fall for the crazy Jerry. Great support by Patrick Stewart and Cylk Cozart (Eraser) as a pair of mysterious agents hunting Jerry. To the filmmakers' credit, the ending is unexpected but satisfying. The music, by Carter Burwell, is also suitably exciting and ironic - perfectly matching the film's pace.

The Warner Bros DVD is presented in color, in 2.35:1 theatrical format and runs 135 minutes. English and French are available sound and subtitle choices, with Spanish subtitles also available.

Conspiracy Theory is a very entertaining film that is hard to compare to most of the forgettable videos out there. The one film I can think of that is similarly well made and entertaining is Eraser, which I also highly recommend.

Thanks for reading!

Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening