Storyline Criminal profiler and psychologist Dr Helen Hudson becomes entangled in the deadly mind game of a vicious copycat serial killer Peter Foley. Due to the horrific attack Helen suffered in her past as an agoraphobic she is confined to her apartment. The killer uses this against her in his murderous attempts to become a famous serial killer. Detectives M. J Monahan and Reuben Goetz they have the challenge of trying to capture the killer before he kills again and uses his chance to commit another atrocious murder.
Writers: Ann Biderman, David Madsen
Cast: Sigourney Weaver
-
Helen Hudson
Holly Hunter
-
M.J. Monahan
Dermot Mulroney
-
Reuben Goetz
William McNamara
-
Peter Foley
Harry Connick Jr.
-
Daryll Lee Cullum
J.E. Freeman
-
Lt. Thomas Quinn
Will Patton
-
Nicoletti
John Rothman
-
Andy
Shannon O'Hurley
-
Susan Schiffer
Bob Greene
-
Pachulski
Tony Haney
-
Kerby
Danny Kovacs
-
Kostas
Tahmus Rounds
-
Landis
Scott DeVenney
-
Cop #1
David Michael Silverman
-
Mike
Taglines:
One man is copying the most notorious killers in history one at a time. Together, two women must stop him from killing again. Or they're next.
Release Date: 27 October 1995
Filming Locations: Hollywood Center Studios - 1040 N. Las Palmas Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA
Box Office Details
Budget: $20,000,000
(estimated)
Gross: $32,051,917
(USA)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The climactic bathroom scene took 8 days to film.
Goofs:
Factual errors:
The "police scanner" is tuned to 147.2100 MHz - a frequency in the 2-meter amateur radio band, not the police band.
Quotes: Helen:
[annoyed by an offgoing car alarm system]
Just steal the car and go!
User Review
Gripping; definitely _not_ a carbon copy.
Rating:
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.
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