Homicide (1991)

The two criminal investigations that are launched early on in this crime drama provide the backdrop for an even more powerful story that unfolds as a homicide detective becomes embroiled in a journey of self-discovery that leads to his downfall. Issues of race, religion and loyalties suddenly loom large as he tries to come to terms with his own identity and in the process, loses his objectivity and his professionalism. The consequences of his actions then prove to be far more devastating than he could ever have imagined as he gradually comes to recognise "the nature of evil".As Homicide Detectives Bobby Gold (Joe Mantegna) and Tim Sullivan (William H Macy) speed through the streets of their city on their way to speak to the brother-in-law of a dangerous drug dealer/cop killer, Gold feels highly motivated because he knows that if they can apprehend Robert Randolph (Ving Rhames), they'll gain plenty of kudos and recognition, not least because this particular criminal had previously humiliated the FBI by escaping their clutches, even when he was massively outnumbered by them The detectives' journey gets interrupted, however, when they come across another crime scene and Gold discovers the dead body of an elderly Jewish woman behind the counter of her candy store which is situated in a black ghetto.Gold's frustration about being delayed in his pursuit of Randolph soon heightens after he gets assigned to the murder case because the victim's son, who happens to be a wealthy doctor with friends in high places, was able to pull the necessary strings to make this happen. The doctor's motive for doing this was because he believed that, as a Jew himself, Gold would recognise that the murder was a hate crime rather than simply a "robbery gone wrong". Gold, who's first and foremost an honest cop, tends to believe that he's dealing with a straightforward murder case and initially regards the victim's family as rather hysterical and paranoid.In his subsequent dealings with the Jewish people he encounters, Gold is regularly patronised, treated contemptuously and repeatedly urged to abandon his normal neutrality and do whatever is needed to protect his own people. As Gold is a non-practising Jew who has never previously felt particularly Jewish, he starts to think more deeply about where his loyalties should lie and as well as starting to believe in the existence of a conspiracy, allows himself to be recruited into a militant Zionist group with whom he participates in the bombing of a property which is being used by a Neo-Nazi group. The group that he'd worked with then use his commitment to their cause to blackmail him and the slippery slope that he finds himself on, eventually leads to him being given a knowing glance by a man who, some time earlier, at a time when he wasn't interested in listening, had offered to tell him how to solve the problem of evil.Joe Montegna does a fantastic job of making his character's malleability seem credible and is even more accomplished in the natural way in which he looks so ashamed when Gold suddenly realises that an anti-Semitic rant he'd indulged in had been overheard by a member of the doctor's family. William H Macy is perfect as Gold's Irish partner who keeps his feet firmly on the ground at all times and Ving Rhames makes a strong impression in his important supporting role.The movie's story is told with great precision, intensity and pace and the kind of mesmeric quality that's a familiar feature of David Mamet's work. It's fascinating to watch and for some unaccountable reason, despite its numerous merits, still remains criminally under-appreciated

A Jewish homicide detective (Joe Mantegna, who is not Jewish) investigates a seemingly minor murder and falls in with a Zionist group as a result.I can't say I have seen all of David Mamet's films, but I have seen enough to know that he is an excellent writer of dialogue. He is a solid director, too, but it is the dialogue that sets his films apart. And this is no exception, going between a good cop story and a much deeper exploration of what it means to be Jewish. (What is the meaning of the Esther scene? I don't know.) What does it mean to be Jewish? But really, what does it mean to be anything? I can't really identify, because I am a great many different ethnicities and feel no allegiance to any one or feel that one is "who I am". Can a bloodline really define who a person is?

I have deliberated whether to give it a 6 or a 7. From my point of view it should be somewhere around 6.5, but I think that a score of 7 would be to high for it.The good about 'Homicide' is the story and the fine act. I always found Joe Mantegna to be a good actor, playing smart, talkative characters. The plot is nice (though have some flaws).The main problem of the movie, in my opinion, is the slow pace. It takes about an hour till things start rolling. Its' pace and the twist at the end reminded me of Francis Ford Coppolas' 'The Conversation'. But its' shorter, and not as satisfying as the latter.

This movie is a class in movie-making 101, even on the cheap. Mamet shows what a great film you can write and produce with the most basic of sets. Half a dozen great stage and movie actors and excellent and basic staging.Mamet's writing style is poetry. At times, it is like watching something between an opera, a ballet and a Baptist church service. The call and response style to Mamet's writing is simple, pure and elegant. Mamet's cast of regular actors, also notably seen in "House Of Games" is superb.The original, sparse music adds a nearly documentary feel to the film. You can still find this in the "used" internet movie web sites on VHS for a buck and a half. THis is a great film and a great teaching film for aspiring film writers and directors.