the fresh films reviews

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Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Director:
Barbet Schroder
COUNTRY
USA
GENRE
Drama
NORWEGIAN TITLE
Von Bülow-mysteriet
RUNNING TIME
120 minutes
Producer:
Edward R. Pressman
Oliver Stone
Screenwriter:
Nicholas Kazan
Based on the book by:
Alan Dershowitz


Cast includes:

CHARACTER ACTOR/ACTRESS RATING
Sunny von Bülow Glenn Close ½
Claus von Bülow Jeremy Irons
Alan Dershowitz Ron Silver ½
Sarah Annabella Sciorra
David Marriot Fisher Stevens ½
Maria Uta Hagen -
Peter MacIntosh Jack Gilpin ½
Andrea Reynolds Christine Baranski ½
Elon Dershowitz Stephen Mailer ½
Minnie Felicity Huffman -
Nancy Johann Carlo -
Dobbs Keith Reddin -
Curly Mitchell Whitfield -
Jack Tom Wright -
Mary Lisa Gay Hamilton -
Alexandra Isles Julie Hagerty -
Bill Bill Camp -
Raj Mano Singh -

 

Review

Crime stories based on real-life events are always difficult to translate to the big screen, because it is almost impossible for the director not to let his views colour the narrative too much. Centering on the highly publicised case involving the socialite von Bülow couple, Reversal of Fortune is one of the greatest films of this kind, directed with an almost teasing sense of balance by Frenchman Barbet Schroeder. He structures the narrative with chilling precision, making this not only a highly suspenseful film but also one of the most interesting criminal dramas of all time. Jeremy Irons' performance is a standout – his ostentatious arrogance forms the basis for an abundance of insinuations, yet he leaves the conclusion to the viewer. There are also excellent performances from Ron Silver as Claus von Bülow's appellate defence attorney, Alan Dershowitz, and a perfectly cast Glenn Close as Sunny von Bülow, despite limited screen time.

Re-reviewed: Copyright © 27.12.2004 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang
Original review: Copyright © 17
.10.1996 Fredrik Gunerius Fevang
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