Under Suspicion Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A disgraced cop fakes affairs, his wife gets murdered, and he sleeps with the prime suspect while trying to clear his name, because, Brighton.

🍿 Under Suspicion: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction: A Disgraced Cop’s New Life

In Brighton, England, 1959, Tony Aaron, a former police officer, now works as a private investigator. He specializes in fabricating evidence of adultery to help people get divorced, a common practice given the strict divorce laws of the time. This morally questionable career path stems from his own disgrace within the police force.

The Double Murder

Tony’s scheme involves using his own wife, Hazel, as the ‘other woman’ in these staged adulterous affairs. However, a job goes horribly wrong when Hazel and the client, a wealthy painter named Carlo Stasio, are found murdered in a hotel room. Tony immediately becomes the prime suspect in the double homicide.

Investigation and Suspicion

Frank, Tony’s former police partner, leads the investigation. He suspects both Tony and Angeline, Stasio’s mistress, who stands to inherit a considerable fortune from the painter’s estate, including valuable artwork. The investigation unfolds, revealing a web of deceit, greed, and complicated relationships.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tony Aaron (Liam Neeson): A disgraced ex-cop turned private investigator who finds himself under suspicion for a double murder.
• Angeline (Laura San Giacomo): The mistress of a murdered artist who is set to inherit his estate and becomes involved with Tony.
• Frank (Kenneth Cranham): Tony’s former partner and current police investigator who is torn between loyalty and duty.
• Hazel Aaron (Maggie O’Neill): Tony’s wife who participates in his staged adultery schemes and becomes a murder victim.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tony Aaron: “Why did you stay with him, with Stasio? If he was so awful, why did you stay with him? Huh?” – Tony questions Angeline about her relationship with Stasio while trying to uncover the truth about the murder.
• Angeline: “Can’t believe you’re cross-examining me while we’re making love.” – Angeline responds sarcastically to Tony’s persistent questioning during a heated moment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $6,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $221,295
• Worldwide Gross: $221,295

💥 Under Suspicion Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘Under Suspicion’ years ago and being completely captivated. The plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, and Liam Neeson’s performance was just mesmerizing. I particularly enjoyed the way the movie played with my expectations, making me question everyone’s motives. The ending was a real shocker, and it’s a film I still think about from time to time. I thought that the suspense of the final act was excellent!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of neo-noir thrillers”
  • “Viewers interested in crime dramas with plot twists”
  • “Those who appreciate Liam Neeson’s early work”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Violence”
  • “Strong language”
  • “Nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While ‘Under Suspicion’ benefits from strong performances, particularly from Liam Neeson, the convoluted plot and a somewhat unsatisfying conclusion prevent it from reaching its full potential as a compelling neo-noir thriller. However, it offers an intriguing exploration of moral ambiguity and deception.
• IMDB: “A clever thriller with plenty of twists and turns, ‘Under Suspicion’ keeps you guessing until the very end. Liam Neeson delivers a charismatic performance as the flawed protagonist, and the film successfully evokes the atmosphere of 1950s England.

Audience Reactions

The unexpected plot twists kept me guessing until the very end.: Viewers praised the film’s suspenseful atmosphere and intricate plot.

Liam Neeson’s performance was excellent!: Many viewers noted that Neeson’s portrayal of a flawed cop was a standout performance.

Overall Consensus: A suspenseful neo-noir thriller with strong performances but a somewhat convoluted plot.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Patrick Bergin was originally cast in the lead role but dropped out due to creative differences, leading to Liam Neeson’s casting.”
• “The film is set in Brighton, England in 1959, but some scenes were filmed in Portmeirion, Wales, a location famous for the TV series “The Prisoner.””
• “The movie explores the complex and restrictive divorce laws of 1950s Britain, where evidence of adultery was often fabricated to secure a divorce.”

🖥️ How to Watch Under Suspicion?

As of October 2024, ‘Under Suspicion’ is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on streaming services or cable on-demand.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Under Suspicion, you might like these similar films:

• Jagged Edge (1985): Features a lawyer defending a client accused of murder, with a complex web of suspicion and possible romance complicating the case, similar to the twists and turns in Under Suspicion.
• Body Heat (1981): Centers on a lawyer who is seduced into a plot to murder a wealthy husband, creating a steamy, suspenseful atmosphere of betrayal and intrigue.
• L.A. Confidential (1997): Presents a neo-noir crime story set in the 1950s, exploring corruption, murder, and moral ambiguity within law enforcement, echoing the atmospheric setting and themes of ‘Under Suspicion’.

🛒 Under Suspicion Related Products

• Liam Neeson Action Collection [DVD]: A collection of Liam Neeson’s thrilling action movies. Perfect for fans who enjoy his intense performances.
• Brighton Rock (Graham Greene Novel): A classic novel set in Brighton, exploring themes of crime, morality, and corruption.
• Film Noir: The Dark Side of Hollywood: A comprehensive guide to the film noir genre, exploring its history, themes, and iconic films.
• Detective Costume Set: Fun for kids and adults alike to dress up and act like a private investigator.

🎧 Soundtrack

Under Suspicion features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “CHRISTMAS ISLAND” – performed by Dickie Valentine

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Under Suspicion (2000)

Want to dive deeper into ‘Under Suspicion’? This review breaks down all the twists and turns, and gives you a fresh perspective on the characters’ motivations. I found it really helpful in understanding the ending – give it a watch and see if you agree!

✨ Rate