Dead Again

This review is an excerpt from my book “Killer B’s: The 237 Best Movies On Video You’ve (Probably) Never Seen,” which is available as an ebook on iBooks. If you enjoy this review, there are 236 more like it in the book (plus a whole lot more). Check it out! DEAD AGAIN: 1949: L.A. composer Roman Strauss (Branagh) gets the chair for murdering his wife Margaret (Thompson). He claims he loved her, though—and that “this is all far from over.” Fast forward to 1991, where low-rent P.I. Mike Church (also played by Branagh) gets stuck baby-sitting amnesiac “Grace” (also played by Thompson), who’s been traumatized into silence by a pair of scissors—the Strauss murder weapon. Enter flaming antiques dealer Franklin (Jacobi), who uses hypnotic regression to help her. Under his spell, she regains her voice and her memory. But it’s a memory of a past incarnation, in which she finds herself reliving the Strauss’ fatal attraction. A nutjob defrocked shrink (Robin Williams, in an uncredited role) explains the “karmic credit plan,” speculating that Mike and Grace might be the Strausses reincarnated—and fated to repeat their experiences. Before long, personal history is indeed repeating itself—but through a mirror, darkly. No one understands the rules of karma, however, so whose life is at risk this time around? Will it be replay, revenge—or are they both pawns in a game far more complicated than they could ever guess? Discussion: Is it incredible coincidence or cosmic conspiracy? Even the question indicates the larger-than-life nature of this stylish thriller. Part Hitchcockian psychological suspenser (with a New Age twist), part film noir mystery with romance, this is a giddy, tongue-in-cheek romp played dead straight, despite its grandiose gestures. Much of its appeal lies in watching a bunch of classical actors happily slumming in a B-movie; beyond that are velvety black and white flashbacks and an ending that overlaps past and present plots to come full circle for karmic (and poetic) justice. If you just accept the born-again premise of overlapping, interlocking lives, you’re in for some unpredictable intrigue and real suspense—as well as some outlandish fun.

One of the BEST movies EVER!!!

This is my all time favorite movie !!! Brilliant , Great story and wonderfully directed by Kenneth Branagh . Give it a try it will not disappoint !!

I have seen this movie several times, and loved it each time. Great to see the characters in duo roles. Love the story. Can be a bit campy in some spots, but it just adds to the humor of the movie.

I enjoy watching older movies even though I am relatively young. This movie was really good. I enjoyed the suspense, the acting and the plot. You should check it out!

At the Beginning I thought it was boring, but then it started to get really Interesting & Suspicious in the movie. Worth Watching It.

Could be the worst movie ever made. It was like a bad Seifeld episode(to honor Newman).

I rented this first of all because it was advertised as 99 cent rental. When I read the cast list I immediately guessed it would be a super movie. So I read the reviews and they confirmed that it was worth watching. Too bad they were all wrong! Great cast! The premise of the plot is interesting. Something just did not click with me. My wife and I found it boring and unable to pique our interest. We watched it to the end but will not watch it again or recommend it.

Thrilling of quality

Really, seriously, this is a stupidly lamely done movie. Do not rent.