Taking Lives (2004) Movie Information:

Taking Lives (2004) Directed by: D.J. Caruso Taking Lives (2004) Written by: Jon Bokenkamp, Michael Pye Taking Lives (2004) Cast: Angelina Jolie, Ethan Hawke, Kiefer Sutherland, Gena Rowlands, Olivier Martinez, Tcheky Karyo, Jean-Hugues Anglade, Paul Dano, Justin Chatwin, Andre Lacoste

Taking Lives (2004) U.S. Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures Taking Lives (2004) U.K. Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures

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Taking Lives (2004) Synopsis:

A top FBI profiler, Special Agent Illeana Scott doesn't rely on traditional crime-solving techniques to unravel the mysteries of a murderous mind. Her intuitive, unconventional approach often makes the crucial difference between catching a killer and sending a dead-end case to the cold file. When Montreal detectives, handling a local homicide investigation, reluctantly ask for an outsider's help to get inside the head of a cunning serial killer, Agent Scott joins the case. With meticulous insight, she theorizes that the chameleon-like killer is 'life-jacking'--assuming the lives and identities of his victims. As the pressure mounts to catch the elusive murderer, Agent Scott's unorthodox methods alienate her from a territorial police team that feels threatened by her uncanny abilities. Her seemingly cold demeanor belies an unparalleled passion for her work, and she's at her best when she's working alone. However, when an unexpected attraction sparks a complicated romantic entanglement, the consummate specialist begins to doubt her finely-honed instincts. Alone in an unfamiliar city with no one she can trust, Agent Scott suddenly finds herself on a twisted and terrifying journey, surrounded by suspects in a case that has become chillingly personal.difference between catching a killer and sending a dead-end case to the cold file. When Montreal detectives, handling a local homicide investigation, reluctantly ask for an outsider's help to get inside the head of a cunning serial killer, Agent Scott joins the case. With meticulous insight, she theorizes that the chameleon-like killer is 'life-jacking'--assuming the lives and identities of his victims. As the pressure mounts to catch the elusive murderer, Agent Scott's unorthodox methods alienate her from a territorial police team that feels threatened by her uncanny abilities. Her seemingly cold demeanor belies an unparalleled passion for her work, and she's at her best when she's working alone. However, when an unexpected attraction sparks a complicated romantic entanglement, the consummate specialist begins to doubt her finely-honed instincts. Alone in an unfamiliar city with no one she can trust, Agent Scott suddenly finds herself on a twisted and terrifying journey, surrounded by suspects in a case that has become chillingly personal.

Taking Lives (2004) Movie Review:

Here's another deeply formulaic thriller with high production values and a strong cast slumming their way through an appallingly predictable script. It
has its moments, and is always watchable, but why bother when we've seen it so many times before? Just look at the cast list; assuming you've read
nothing about this film, you already know whodunit and who they want us to think is the killer!

Illeana (Jolie) is an FBI profiler called in to help with a brutal serial murder case in Montreal. The local cops (Martinez, Karyo and Anglade) aren't thrilled by her presence, even after she cleverly spots key clues here and there. A witness to one murder, Costa (Hawke), provides the first tangible evidence, while an elegant but cranky woman (Rowlands) adds a wrinkle to the mystery, and a sinister figure (Sutherland) lurks in the margins. Can the cops put all the pieces together before the killer strikes again? And can they put aside their personal issues to solve the case?

Caruso directs the film with that anonymous sheen we see in this genre--stylish but uninventive, while seemingly oblivious to either the plot's clunkiness or the ludicrously contrived character arcs. The film
looks fantastic, and all of the actors are quite good (until it goes silly), helped by having award-winners like Sutherland, Rowlands, Dano and Crozee in
micro-roles. Jolie holds the film together effortlessly in the role usually played by either herself or Ashley Judd in these movies, complete with quirky behaviour and one "passionate" sex scene in which she earns her stripes as a contortionist! There are plenty of scenes that make us jump--mostly red herrings or completely illogical plot turns, but at least they're great fun. We're never in danger of falling asleep as we watch Bokenkamp ("story and screenplay by"--does he have no shame?) press all the buttons on cue, complete with fake-out ending and various explanatory codas. None of which is remotely surprising, even if it will make you squeal with mock-terrified glee. Ah yes, that's why we watch these films!

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Taking Lives (2004) review written by: Rich Cline