Sitting in a movie theater, the air thick with the smell of popcorn, waiting, anticipating the event at hand has got to be one of life’s most enjoyable experiences. What’s even better is when the lights begin to fade and “The following preview” boldly appears on the screen. There’s something about seeing a glimpse of what’s being released next that makes the movie-going experience that much more satisfying. This summer I remember sitting in various theaters seeing the preview for Double Jeopardy. The film appeared to be an intriguing thriller with some pretty intense scenes. When it came down to show time, it was anything but.
Ashley Judd (Kiss the Girls) plays Libby Parsons, a woman convicted of murdering her not-so-dead husband. Framed for his murder, she comes to realize that he’s alive and ticking and living with her best friend, Angie (Annabeth Gish). Since she’s been convicted of killing him once, double jeopardy prevents her from being tried for the same crime again. Naturally, since she did the time, why not go out and commit the crime? It’s too bad we already know what happens because we never get the expected luxury of a few plot twists or nail biting moments.
Playing the bad ass heroine is not exactly Ashley Judd’s forte. It simply doesn’t work. She doesn’t look angry enough and she never raises her voice above the tone of a sweet hello. Someone like Jodi Foster (who was meant to play the role before becoming pregnant) would have been a much more suitable choice for the scorned Libby. In Judd’s defense, her navet and girl-next-door persona definitely makes her someone worth rooting for.
Opposite Judd is fast-talking Tommy Lee Jones. With natural control, he dominates every scene he’s in, which unfortunately isn’t many. As Libby’s parole officer, Travis Lehman, he relentlessly tries to hunt her down before she does something stupid, like really kill her husband. His quick wit and dry sense of humor make him one of the most likable characters in the film. Even though you know he ends up realizing that Libby was wrongfully accused, it’s still entertaining to watch him take the steps to put all the pieces together.
Directed by Bruce Beresford, Double Jeopardy is a good idea that has yet to be fully developed. It’s surprising to see Beresford put together a film that isn’t tightly connected. His past efforts, Tender Mercies, Crimes of the Heart, and Driving Miss Daisy, have proven his talent as a director and his attention to details. In Double Jeopardy, details seem to be passed over a little too lightly. We never gain an understanding of Nick’s hatred of his wife. We also never know why or exactly how Angie is involved. And the biggest killer of all: the previews. We know all of the surprises and are left with nothing more than a dose of brain-dead entertainment.
Double Jeopardy is one of those films that fell victim to its trailer. Because I had seen the previews and knew the basic story line, there was nothing new to see. I already knew what would happen and that everything would end up in a nicely wrapped package. It’s a shame too, because this film could have been so much better if I hadn’t known what would happen beforehand. I always thought the point of thrillers was to keep you in suspense, guessing at every corner. The only thing Double Jeopardy had me asking was, “Why?” Why give everything away before people see the film?
+ Ashley Adams
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