Copycat

This is not even close to Silence of the Lambs. In fact, it has so many plot holes and logical inconsistencies that 6 - 6.5 rating is generous. Acting was good but character development was sparse. We get no background on why this kid kills. He just does. And, the all-knowing psychologist who surmises that he has technical lab job, can't figure out that he has access to sperm samples and get police over to IVF labs? Really? The most unbelievable part of Copycat is that the Dr. gets attacked multiple times in her apt yet police put a single,bumbling officer outside her door time and time again. The movie has some suspense but it is not even close to top thrillers of all-time. Too highly rated on Amazon and by many here..

I'm 48 and often miss the careful production and story/character development of 80s/90s films, elements that are so often missing in many of today's movies, particularly crime-suspense dramas. COPYCAT (1995) is well-produced and gripping, with some interesting quirks of character. Sigourney Weaver gives a nice performance here, but Holly Hunter really defines the show as uncoppish cop M.J. Monahan. Many people will not like her performance for the very reasons that I do like it--Imagine Sarah Palin in the role of a homicide detective, and you'll see what I mean. Harry Connick, JR, is also memorable in his bad-guy role here.

COPYCAT has an interesting premise, but, as horrible as the following may sound, it would have been nice if they'd taken it a bit further, having the killer imitate a few others before the big come-uppance. A little more on Peter Foley, who/why he is, and what motivates him would also have helped. COPYCAT is quite watchable if you're a fan of this genre, but the whole storyline is kind of TV-Land same ol', predictable, and nothing terribly original despite the winning premise.

Derivative serial killer thriller in which a murderer sends a message to his chasers, a line from a song by The Police, promising turn a killing into art. Here Sigourney Weaver is a psychologist who suffers agarophobia , mortally afraid to venture out of her apartament and she mutters : "Very witty, this guy. He wants to dazzle us". Holly Hunter and Dermot Mulroney are two cops who pursue mercilessly the ominous, implacable murderer and being advised by another killer, crooner Harry Connick Jr, in prison to hunt him, while imitating famous murders. As the main killer copies known murders of the past, cut by cut, corpse by corpse. Eventually, protagonists coming a face to face with the heinous enemy until a silly and predictable finale.

This thriling film contains grisly killings, some very clever shocks, exploitation, and lots of scary creepings in the dark. The simple plot ,peculiarly tasteless , delivers an opportunist concept, though being subsequently more and more complex, when the nasty serial killer attempts to reproduce the murders of others notorious serial killers as Ted Bundy, Sam's son, Dahmer, Jack the Ripper and Murders by Numbers. There are various flashes of interest between the intriguingly matched stars. The screenwriters carry out to replicate even the feminist structure from Silence Of The Lambs with Holly Hunter and Sigourney Weaver splintering the Clarice Starling/Jodie Foster character. And while consulting convicted psycho Harry Connick at inside prison , how the another killer proceeds to murder. SIgourney Weaver plays a boozing, agarophobic psychologist suffering the effects of an attack by a terrible sicko, being almost hanged drawn and quartered. Weaver gives sometimes overacting, eventually grabs our deep attention along the way. Harry Connick as a Southern psychopath stuck on murder who is convict in prison while advising the police in hunting for another serial murderer who imitates him, he offers the movie's best portratal by a country mile. Will Patton is the obstinate cop, Hunter's ex-lover, unreasonably jealous of the unfortunate cop well played by Delmot Mulroney. And finally William McNamara who provides an extremely nasty madman role, though annoying, as the crowded serial killer and psychopath, a Hannibal Lecter lookalike.

It delivers a frightening and suspenseful soundtrack by the musician Christopher Young, a real expert in creating dark and sinister atmosphere. As well as an evocative and adequate cinematography by prestigious Lazslo Kovacs. This particularly nasty motion picture was well directed by Jon Amiel who keeps the tension high and his camera dwells lingeringly on sadistic details. He has made acceptable movies as Queen of hearts, Tune in tomorrow, Sommersby, The man who Knew too little, Entrapment, The Core. Rating 6.5/10. Decent thriller. Well worth watching for Sigourney Weaver and Holly Hunter fans .

Contrary to what several users have written, "Copycat" is _not_ "Silence of the Lambs 2". Nor is it a rip-off of "Se7en", or an exploitation flick, or any other negative labels that have been foisted upon it. Rather, it's a gripping, and largely intriguing thriller that succeeds thanks to performances by two confident female leads, competent direction, intelligent writing, and an appropriately foreboding score courtesy of Christopher Young, who's fast becoming one of my favorite film composers.

Sigourney Weaver hits the right notes as the agoraphobic psychiatrist, especially early on, as we see the depths to which she has shut herself off from the outside world, creating her own safe little corner. Holly Hunter, in a role that instantly brings to mind Jane Craig from "Broadcast News", is effective as the investigating detective. Hers is a performance that is three-dimensional and fully-realized.

If there's a weakness in the film, it's the ongoing beef between Ruben and Nico. It's a meritless p***ing contest stemming from one character's jealousy, and could've easily been dropped or retooled. This small gripe, however, didn't deter my enjoyment of the film.

Much credit has to be given to director Jon Amiel ("Sommersby", "Entrapment") for effectively capturing the atmosphere and tension prevalent throughout the film. In addition, writers Ann Biderman and David Madsen deserve credit for a intelligent, well-researched screenplay. No clichés here, just sharply-crafted dialogue. And Christopher Young's inspired score is brilliant; just listen to the theme that plays early on, as Helen calms down after a panic attack.

"Copyat" may not be classic material, but it's a strong entry in a genre that's too often consumed by formulas and gore. Highly recommended.

A serial killer is claiming victims in the style of other killers from the recent past, homicide detective (Holly Hunter) needs the help of a noted criminal psychologist (Sigourney Weaver) if she is going to catch this killer. The trouble is she is an agoraphobic recluse haunted by her memories.

The characters build nicely as the story moves along at a steady pace, Weaver and Hunter both capture their characters very well and they are supported convincingly by Dermot Mulroney, William McNamara, Harry Connick Jnr. and Will Patton.

Copycat is full of suspense and intrigue, and it is a really solid film in every respect; it doesn't have the style or the punch of films like Seven and Silence of the Lambs, but it is definitely well worth watching.

7/10