DOUBLE JEOPARDY (1999, USA/Germany/Canada, 105m, 15) ***
Crime, Mystery, Thriller
dist. Paramount Pictures (USA), United International Pictures (UIP) (UK); pr co. Paramount Pictures / MFP Munich Film Partners GmbH & Company I. Produktions KG / Province of British Columbia Production Services Tax Credit; d. Bruce Beresford; w. David Weisberg, Douglas Cook; pr. Leonard Goldberg, Richard Luke Rothschild; ph. Peter James (DeLuxe | 2.39:1); m. Normand Corbeil; ed. Mark Warner; pd. Howard Cummings; ad. Andrew Neskoromny.
cast: Ashley Judd (Libby), Tommy Lee Jones (Travis), Bruce Greenwood (Nick), Annabeth Gish (Angie), Spencer Treat Clark (Matty – Age 11), Roma Maffia (Margaret), Davenia McFadden (Evelyn), John Maclaren (Rudy), Benjamin Weir (Matty – Age 4), Jay Brazeau (Bobby), Keegan Connor Tracy (Boutique Saleswoman), Ed Evanko (Warren), Michael Gaston (Cutter), Gillian Barber (Rebecca Tingely), French Tickner (Judge), Ben Bode (Karl Carruthers), Gabrielle Rose (Georgia), Babs Chula (Ruby), Tracy Vilar (Orbe), Dave Hager (Mangold).
This enjoyable hokum sees Libby Parsons (Judd), framed for the murder of her husband (Greenwood), surviving the long years in prison with two burning desires sustaining her — finding her son and solving the mystery that destroyed her once-happy life. Standing between her and her quest, however, is her parole officer, Travis Lehman (Jones). Libby poses a challenge to the cynical officer, one that forces him to face up to his own failings while pitting him against his superiors and law enforcement colleagues. Whilst the plot is full of holes, Judd and Jones give their all in trying to convince us this is a believable scenario. Breezily directed by Beresford and nicely shot by James, it remains a diverting thriller that will entertain those willing to go with it.
