Fallen (1998) / Thriller-Fantasy

MPAA Rated: R for violence and language
Running Time: 124 min.

Cast: Denzel Washington, John Goodman, Donald Sutherland, Embeth Davidtz, James Gandolfini, Elias Koteas
Director: Gregory Hoblit
Screenplay: Nicholas Kazan
Review published April 16, 1998

Denzel Washington (Courage Under Fire, Devil in a Blue Dress) plays a cop out to catch a serial killer responsible for a several mysterious murders in his city. Only trouble is the murderer may be a fallen angel/demon who is possessing the bodies of various people to do his bidding.

A very interesting premise, yet never truly comes to fruition due to predictability and a truly botched ending in which the filmmakers strive for something truly clever and pull off a groaner. The film is watchable, and the performances are good, but the ending and the fact that the demon loves the classic Stones' song "Time is on My Side" makes for some embarrassing viewing. I suppose as a time-killer you could do worse than this, but you definitely could do better.

Qwipster's rating:

©1998 Vince Leo