Nothing new under the sun, or slightly something to that effect, in "The Naked Face", one of director/writer Bryan Forbes' final films. A quite
fun dramatic thriller with some intriguing twists, some predictable turns but always offering good moments and unusual performances.
It's a great chance to see the eternal 007 Roger Moore being a little more vulnerable than usual, as he plays a Chicago psychoanalyst who gets accused of a series of murders that are happening around him and of people who know him. Two detectives are on his back: Elliott Gould plays the rookie who wants to give the doctor the benefit of a doubt; while the veteran (Rod Steiger) already has an agenda against the man for a past encounter on court. Obviously that the clueless doctor isn't killing anyone, but maybe some of his patients might be part of the mystery and off he goes to investigate by himself - always becoming a target himself.
The film is adapted from a novel by Sidney Sheldon, one of the most cinematic authors of all time, and it's probably a fair adaptation of it (I read it ages ago and didn't even knew there was a film made). For fans of him, it's a pretty decent job since he knew how to create mystery, create series of shady characters and throw some love in between - there isn't much here but since Anne Archer is the sole main female presence you can guess that her patient character will get attracted to Moore's helpful doctor. And if he's a delight to watch as he doesn't throw punches or shoot anyone, his nemesis isn't, and single handedly almost destroyed the picture. And trust me, it's possible.
Rod Steiger and his intolerant detective is something to be seen to be believed. His hystrionic acts go from amazingly bad to hilarious over and over as he charges against Moore, the dead patient's sexual orientation and many other things. Overacting non-stop, and it's hard to imagine someone like him being in charge of an investigation, ignoring procedures and being hostile to the people who could help him - specially the $50 dollar shrink. And I abolsutely loved his toupee (funny as hell). If not paying much attention to this character, one can enjoy the film very easily.
Many things to like about it but it's one of those cases where you can't expect much. The few thrills work, the mystery too. Yet the result of it all, why those killings were happening and always giving the appearance that the doctor was the monster is almost ridiculous.
It may convince less demanding viewers. And one thing is certain: the very final scene may anger you, or you may have some good laugh out of it. 6/10.
It's a great chance to see the eternal 007 Roger Moore being a little more vulnerable than usual, as he plays a Chicago psychoanalyst who gets accused of a series of murders that are happening around him and of people who know him. Two detectives are on his back: Elliott Gould plays the rookie who wants to give the doctor the benefit of a doubt; while the veteran (Rod Steiger) already has an agenda against the man for a past encounter on court. Obviously that the clueless doctor isn't killing anyone, but maybe some of his patients might be part of the mystery and off he goes to investigate by himself - always becoming a target himself.
The film is adapted from a novel by Sidney Sheldon, one of the most cinematic authors of all time, and it's probably a fair adaptation of it (I read it ages ago and didn't even knew there was a film made). For fans of him, it's a pretty decent job since he knew how to create mystery, create series of shady characters and throw some love in between - there isn't much here but since Anne Archer is the sole main female presence you can guess that her patient character will get attracted to Moore's helpful doctor. And if he's a delight to watch as he doesn't throw punches or shoot anyone, his nemesis isn't, and single handedly almost destroyed the picture. And trust me, it's possible.
Rod Steiger and his intolerant detective is something to be seen to be believed. His hystrionic acts go from amazingly bad to hilarious over and over as he charges against Moore, the dead patient's sexual orientation and many other things. Overacting non-stop, and it's hard to imagine someone like him being in charge of an investigation, ignoring procedures and being hostile to the people who could help him - specially the $50 dollar shrink. And I abolsutely loved his toupee (funny as hell). If not paying much attention to this character, one can enjoy the film very easily.
Many things to like about it but it's one of those cases where you can't expect much. The few thrills work, the mystery too. Yet the result of it all, why those killings were happening and always giving the appearance that the doctor was the monster is almost ridiculous.
It may convince less demanding viewers. And one thing is certain: the very final scene may anger you, or you may have some good laugh out of it. 6/10.