The Gingerbread Man *** (1998, Kenneth Branagh, Embeth Davidtz, Robert Downey Jr, Robert Duvall) – Classic Movie Review 422

Robert Altman’s neglected 1998 movie is an awkward but by no means negligible noirish thriller, based on a John Grisham original screen story.

Kenneth Branagh gives an exceptional performance as a very flawed, unsympathetic hero, Georgia lawyer Rick Magruder, whose life goes into a tailspin after a one-night stand with caterer Mallory Doss (Embeth Davidtz). Obsessed with her, he harasses her menacing, abusive father Dixon (Robert Duvall) when learns that he is threatening her.

Magruder has the police arrest Dixon, gets his law firm to back Mallory and subpoenas her ex-husband Pete (Tom Berenger) to testify against her father. He judge sends him to an asylum, but he escapes and lives are in danger.

Unfairly dismissed and overlooked, it’s a dark, gripping, twisty yarn made with lots of tender loving care and a beady, jaundiced eye to atmosphere and the contributions of a hand-picked bunch of distinguished actors (Robert Downey Jr, Daryl Hannah, Tom Berenger, Famke Janssen, Jesse James), all of whom want to give of their best work.

Cast outside his comfort zone and miles away from his usual persona, Branagh reveals what a fine and versatile actor he can be.

Altman writes the screenplay as Al Hayes. At the time it was the only John Grisham film not adapted from one of his novels.

© Derek Winnert 2013 Classic Movie Review 422

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