High Crimes, directed by Carl Franklin, offers a—some say—over-architected interpretation of the Joseph Finder novel.
Mr Caviezel plays Tom Kubik—really Ronald Chapman—the moral pivot for the story. In order to care about anything else in the story, we need to pay close attention to this character.
Carl Franklin
Known as an actor, writer and director, we connect Carl Franklin here with two films, notably: “One True Thing” in 1998, and “Devil in a Blue Dress” (also writer), in 1995.
We’ve heard Mr Caviezel say that he enjoyed working with Carl Franklin. Mr Franklin is apparently a listener, and works with actors in a collaborative way.
Working with a script written by an apparent story-formula-loving, husband-and-wife team (Yuri Zeltser and Cary Bickley), he includes the red herrings, dead-end paths and syncopated dramatic rhythms that may have given this story an early and easy green light (we’re speculating about the green light timing for this film).
The least you can say about Mr Franklin’s work here is that it delivers good entertainment in the Hollywood style.
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Character Tom Kubik nee Ronald Chapman
Are any of us who we claim to be? This character’s job in this film is to set up a husband’s humanity. His believability as a potentially redeemable human being must justify the risks taken by his empowered and capable wife.
How do we move through the world, each of us, from one era in our life to another? What do we tell others about our past? What do we purposefully withhold?
At home in our cozy comfort, what do we know about the tasks assigned to the men we are willing to sacrifice in the name of international political conflict? What kind of justice can be delivered by a military court, especially one that needs classified details in order to tell the whole truth?
Mr Caviezel’s character raises all these questions in this story, some of which you may want to ponder with your peers after seeing this film.
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Interview and Reviews
Interview
We only found one interview, and here it is.
Reviews
These are the early reviews we found for “High Crimes”.
- Chicago Sun Times (April 5, 2002)
- Entertainment Weekly (April 5, 2002)
[registration required]
Note from NN Apr 8
Print edition, #648, April 12 includes standard pix
- From The New York Times (April 5, 2002)
[registration required]
Without reviewing Mr Caviezel’s performance specifically, A. O. Scott writes:
“So wait a minute, if the guy we thought was the bad guy wasn’t the bad guy, then how come the guy we thought was the bad guy did all those things we thought the bad guy would do,” or “No, that’s not right, because if that guy really did the thing he did after the other guy did that other thing, then how come that other guy said....”
- Added September 15, 2002
HollywoodJesus.com (April 22, 2002)
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Tidbits
Added April 28, 2002
Extra TV article (his humility turning gentleman Jim into a star).
Updated July 7, 2002
To date, ‘Crimes’ has earned nearly US$50 million worldwide, with just over US$41 million from domestic tickets. It ranks 29th in this year’s box office list of the top 250.
Added July 14, 2002
We’re seeing DVD availability for an August 27, 2002 release for this story from Internet sites offering discounted, advance orders.
Details for the North American release include (for the widescreen, letterbox Region 1 encoding edition) the theatrical trailer, director commentary and storyboard-to-scene comparsions.
Updated July 19, 2002
Variety confirms the August 27 release date, and adds that the DVD contains a director’s commentary and featurettes.
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FAQ
Question
Where can I find the official site?
Answer
This is the official “High Crimes” Web site.
Question
Where was the film shot?
Answer
Various locations in northern California, USA (LA too), and in Mexico City, Mexico.
