The Gingerbread Man (1998)

A New Orleans attorney (Branagh, Dead Again) has a fling with a waitress (Davidtz, Fallen) and tries to sort out her life after finding that she is being tormented by her deranged father (Duvall, Sling Blade). He commits the father to an institution, but he escapes and now torments the attorney’s family.

Based on a novel by John Grisham, the film has a nice look and good acting, but it is very standard fare which contains little in the way of surprise or interest. Robert Altman (Short Cuts, The Player) directs in his usual unconventional style, which is effective, but he never delivers excitement when it is necessary. Frankly, I’m very tired of these sorts of wackos on the loose thrillers and this one offers no new twists on the genre.

Qwipster’s Rating: D

MPAA Rated: R for some sexuality, violence and language
Running Time: 114 min.

Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall, Daryl Hannah
Director: Robert Altman
Screenplay: Clyde Hayes